ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEM/STAFF REPORT
22.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR APRIL 2022
Meeting Date:			May 16, 2022	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: This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378.

AQUATIC HABITAT AND FLOW CONDITIONS:  Two small April storms bumped river flows up enough to delay fish rescues and give migrating smolts a chance to move towards the lagoon. Carmel River steelhead migration conditions were “fair to poor” in the mainstem, while rearing conditions are “fair”. Most of the tributaries were dry at the confluence.

April’s mean daily streamflow at the Sleepy Hollow Weir ranged from 16 to 34 cfs (monthly mean 21.8 cfs) resulting in 1,300 acre-feet (AF) of runoff, while the streamflow at the Highway 1 gage ranged from 14 to 29 cfs (monthly mean 19.7 cfs) resulting in 1,170 acre-feet (AF) of runoff.  

There were 1.15 inches of rainfall in April as recorded at the San Clemente gauge. The rainfall total for WY 2022 (which started on October 1, 2021) is 12.80 inches, or 63% of the long-term year-to-date average of 20.32 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON:  During April, the lagoon water surface elevation (WSE) ranged from ~ 4.2 to 13.0 feet as the river mouth opened and closed (North American Vertical Datum of 1988; NAVD 88) (See graph below).

Water quality depth-profiles were conducted at five sites on April 26, 2022, while the lagoon mouth was closed, water surface elevation was 12.30 feet, and river inflow was 21 cfs. Steelhead rearing conditions were generally “good”. Salinity increased with depth, ranging from 1 - 29 ppt, dissolved oxygen (DO) levels ranged from 8 - 11 mg/l, and water temperatures ranged from 59 - 64 degrees F.

LOS PADRES DAM ADULT STEELHEAD COUNT:  Los Padres Reservoir filled and spilled on December 14, 2021, reaching a peak daily mean outflow of 629 on December 23, 2021. The fish ladder and trap began operating on December 22, 2021. The ladder and trap were turned off for the season on April 15, 2022, due to low flow. There were 40 adult steelhead counted in 2022 (January - 1, February - 8, March – 24, April - 7), including nine recaptured (previously tagged) fish.

RESISTANCE BOARD WEIR:  As part of the District’s steelhead life-cycle monitoring program, a fish weir was installed in the lower river to temporarily trap upstream migrating adult steelhead for tagging and measurement. The weir was installed January 6, 2022, and the first fish were captured on January 7th. The weir was removed for the season on April 19, 2022, due to low flows.

For the 2022 season, 72 adult, sea-run steelhead were captured, including 57 PIT tagged fish and three recaptured fish. Lengths ranged from 450 mm to 750 mm (avg. 654 mm, 26 inches) (18.4 – 30.7 inches).

SLEEPY HOLLOW STEELHEAD REARING FACILITY: Preparations for upcoming steelhead rescues are being made with computer programming updates, testing, and various upkeep and maintenance projects. The outdated quarantine system (tanks and chillers) is being overhauled with new, more efficient, and effective equipment.

Carmel River Lagoon Plot:

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