ITEM:

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

6.

CONSIDER EXTENSION OF UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR WATER YEAR 2005

 

Meeting Date:

August 16, 2004

Budgeted: 

Yes

 

From:

David A. Berger,

Program/

2-6-1 D

 

General Manager

Line Item No.:

 

 

 

 

Prepared By:

 

Greg James

Cost Estimate:

$8,800

General Counsel Approval:

N/A

Committee Recommendation:

The Administrative Committee reviewed this item at its August 5, 2004 meeting and recommended ____________.

CEQA Compliance:

N/A

 

SUMMARY:  The United States Geological Survey (USGS) operates two streamflow gaging stations on the Carmel River:

 

(1)        Carmel River at Robles del Rio (No. 11143200) and

 

(2)        Carmel River near Carmel (No. 11143250). 

 

The upper or "Robles" gage is immediately downstream of Esquiline Bridge (River Mile 14.4) and the lower or "Carmel" gage is immediately downstream of Via Mallorca Bridge (River Mile 3.6). The District relies on the flow data from both of these stations to support a variety of programs and studies.  Under the USGS cooperative program, the District funds 50 percent of the total cost for operating the Carmel station and the USGS funds the remaining 50 percent of the cost.  The District does not fund the Robles del Rio station.

 

RECOMMENDATION:   Authorize the General Manager to execute the agreement with the USGS providing cooperative investigation of the water resources within the District for Water Year 2005 for an amount not-to-exceed $8,880.  The Administrative Committee reviewed this item and recommended this agreement be _______ by a vote of _ to _, at its August 5, 2004 meeting.

 

BACKGROUND:      The District has funded a cooperative water resources program with the USGS to monitor Carmel River streamflow, since the late 1980s.  Other than the District, the USGS is the only other independent agency that monitors continuous Carmel River streamflow.  The Carmel station provides a long-term streamflow record that began in 1962, and without the District’s partial funding, there is no guarantee that the USGS would continue full funding of the station maintenance.  The USGS streamflow data provides a good cross check for the District’s streamflow data when verifying the daily, annual and peak flows that occur on the Carmel River.  As a cooperator with the USGS, the District has an improved ability to request and obtain various streamflow information including (but not limited to) annual reports, current flow conditions, and historical flood flow information.

 

IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES:  The District's share for continuation of streamflow monitoring for Water Year 2005 (October 1, 2004 - September 30, 2005) is $8,880, as indicated on Exhibit 6-A.  This amount is included in the Fiscal Year 2004-2005 District budget (Summary of Project Expenditures, Program 2-6-1D).

 

LIST OF EXHIBITS

6-A      USGS Cooperative Agreement

 

 

U:\staff\word\committees\Admin\20040805\06\item6.doc