ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
23.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR MAY 2014
Meeting Date:			June 23, 2014	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Beverly Chaney	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: N/A

AQUATIC HABITAT AND FLOW CONDITIONS:  During May 2014, Carmel River streamflow at the MPWMD Highway 1 gage (HW 1) was 0 cubic-feet per second (cfs).   As of May 31, the wetted front had retreated to approximately Schulte Bridge (River Mile, [RM], 6.7) with intermittent flow and isolated deep pools in some reaches down to the Quail Lodge area (RM 4.3). An additional mile of stream was dry or intermittent in the Carmel Valley Trail and Saddle Club reach (~RM 13.0).

Mean daily streamflow in May at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station ranged from 4.1 to 17 cfs, with a mean monthly flow of 8.7 cfs.  During May, 0.15 inches of rainfall were recorded at California American Water’s (CAW) San Clemente Dam (SCD).  The rainfall total for WY 2014 (which started on October 1, 2013) is 10.42 inches, or 50.0% of the long-term annual average (to date) of 21.29 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON:  In May 2014, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) slowly dropped from approximately 4.9 to 3.5 feet above mean sea level (see graph below).  Surface inflow to the lagoon ceased on May 24, 2013. There was no river inflow to the lagoon and the mouth remained closed.

LOWER RIVER STEELHEAD RESCUES:  Staff began steelhead smolt and juvenile rescues on March 3, 2014, the earliest rescue start since 1991. By the end of May, a total of 2,077 fish had been rescued, including: 873 smolts, 1,200 non-smolted juveniles, and four adults. The smolts and adults were acclimated to seawater then released into the ocean at Stewart’s Cove, near the Carmel River mouth. The juveniles were transported farther upstream and released.

STEELHEAD SMOLT TRAP: Staff set up the smolt box-trap and weir on March 18, 2014. The purpose of the trap was to catch downstream migrates before they reach the drying section of river. The trap was operated for eight days before it had to be decommissioned due to permitting issues with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The trap was reinstalled on April 15 and operated until May 29, 2014 when it was decommissioned due to the low flow conditions and a lack of captured fish. Trap totals for 2014: 1,295 fish were captured. This total includes: 187 smolts, 1,089 juveniles, 4 adults, and 15 mortalities (see Table below). The smolts and adults were acclimated to seawater then released into the ocean at Stewart’s Cove, near the Carmel River mouth. The juveniles were transported farther upstream and released.

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