FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
ITEM:		ACTION ITEM
6.	CONSIDER EXTENSION OF COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR STREAMFLOW GAGING IN WATER YEAR 2026
Meeting Date:			June 9, 2025	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	Hydrologic Monitoring
			General Manager	Line Item:	2-5-1
Prepared By:			Jonathan Lear	Cost Estimate:	$18,000
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Finance and Administration Committee discussed this item on June 9, 2025, and recommended_______________.
CEQA Compliance: This action is a categoric exemption from CEQA under CEQA Guideline Section 15301 for “Existing Facilities.” District will prepare a NOE for this effort

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 Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (District) relies on the flow data from both of these stations to support ASR operations and both gages are named in the water rights associated with ASR diversions. It should be noted that the Robles del Rio station is funded by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency.

RECOMMENDATION: The Finance and Administration Committee should recommend the Board authorize the General Manager to execute the agreement with the USGS providing cooperative investigation of the water resources within the District for Water Year (WY) 2026 for an amount not-to-exceed $18,000.

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. The USGS streamflow data provide a valuable cross check for the District’s streamflow data when verifying the daily, annual, and peak flows that occur on the Carmel River. The USGS Carmel River streamflow data also support the District’s implementation of Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) operations in the Seaside Groundwater Basin in that the data are utilized in real-time to assist in scheduling when to commence or cease injection, given current trends in streamflow conditions. In addition, as a cooperator with the USGS, the District has access to purchase equipment from the USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility and keep informed of advancements in instrumentation. The Agreement for WY 2025 is included as Exhibit 8-A as an example of the agreement that would be negotiated in WY 2026.

IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES: The District's share for continuation of streamflow monitoring at the Carmel River near Carmel station for WY 2026 (October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026) is $18,000.

EXHIBIT

6-A The United States Geological Survey (USGS)

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