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ITEM: |
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS |
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25. |
CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR MAY 2025 |
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Meeting Date: |
June 16, 2025 |
Budgeted: |
N/A |
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From: |
David J. Stoldt, |
Program/ |
N/A |
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General Manager |
Line Item
No.: |
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Prepared By: |
Cory Hamilton |
Cost Estimate: |
N/A |
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General Counsel Review: N/A |
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Committee Recommendation: N/A |
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CEQA Compliance: This
action does not constitute a project as defined by the California
Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378. |
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AQUATIC HABITAT AND FLOW CONDITIONS: During May, lack of rainfall caused river flows
to continuously decrease the entire month, going from adequate migration
conditions to suboptimal conditions by the end of the month and tributaries of
the Carmel River started to dry up. The lagoon mouth began to cycle open and
closed at longer periods this month, it was open about half the time (see
graphic below). Rearing conditions were adequate the entire month. Los Padres Reservoir ended the
month still spilling and at a water surface elevation of 1040.09 feet, peaking
at 1040.14 ft. Flow out of the reservoir
at the end of the month was 14 cfs, while the
incoming flow into the reservoir was 16 cfs.
May’s streamflow at the Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station ranged from 16 to 44 cfs (mean 26 cfs), while
flows at the Highway 1 gage ranged from 17 to 51 cfs
(mean 31 cfs).
There was 0.11 inches of rainfall in May as
recorded at the San Clemente gauge. The total rainfall for Water Year (WY)
2025 (which started October 1, 2024) is 16.68 inches., which is 80% of
normal to date.
ADULT MONITORING: District staff installed the resistance board weir on February
20th, which is used to enumerate adult steelhead entering the Carmel River. The
weir was pulled out on May 7th, due to low river conditions not
allowing optimal operating performance.
For the season there were 79 fish trapped, counted and tagged and the
weir fished approximately 50% of the time the lagoon was open for migration
possibilities. The Los Padres fish trap first picked up fish on February 5th,
and through May 14th when the trap was turned off has trapped 105
fish for the season.
FISH RESCUE: On May 16, 2025, District staff started fish rescues due to
drying conditions. Staff conducted rescues in two tributaries (Robinson Canyon
and Garzas Creeks) as they began to dry back.
All fish were released into perennial waters of
the Carmel River. As of the end of May, a total of 128
fish have been rescued (31 YOY, 96 1+ year olds, and 1 morts). Staff continue to monitor mainstem conditions
and prepare the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility for the upcoming dry
season.
CARMEL RIVER LAGOON: In May, the lagoon’s Water Surface Elevation
(WSE) ranged from approximately 3.75 to 10.75 feet (NGVD 1988) (see graph
below). Water quality depth-profiles were conducted at five sites on May 20,
2025, while the lagoon mouth was opened, water surface elevation was 5.5 feet
at the time of sampling, and river inflow was approximately 24 cfs. Lack of
freshwater input and an increase in tidal overwash
created a stratification in the lagoon of saltwater at about 1 meter. Salinity
levels ranged from 0.7-27.3 parts per thousand (ppt), throughout the lagoon. Water temperatures ranged from 60-68 degrees
Fahrenheit, and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels ranged from 3.8 -10.5 mg/l. Overall,
the lagoon’s water quality for fish rearing is in a decreasing condition,
lessening the amount of available habitat.
U:\staff\Boardpacket\2025\061625\Informational
Items\25\Item-25.docx