The Carmel River Watershed

Map of the Carmel River Watershed. Image: MPWMD.

Nestled between the Sierra de Salinas and Santa Lucia Mountain Ranges on the Central California Coast, the Carmel River Watershed is composed of countless small tributaries that all drain into the Carmel River, and eventually the ocean at Carmel River beach.

Watershed Components

Main Stem

Carmel River at Schulte Bridge.

Dams

• Los Padres Dam
• San Clemente Dam

Subwatersheds

• Pine Creek
• Miller Creek
• Los Padres Creek
• Rana Creek
• Mid-Carmel River
• Hitchcock Canyon
• Las Garzas Creek
• Robinson Canyon

Lagoon

The Carmel River Lagoon connects the Carmel River to the Pacific Ocean in winter months when flows are high. A sandbar forms and closes the river mouth during the late spring and summer months .

Physical Characteristics

Habitat

Sensitive Species

• Steelhead
• California Red-Legged Frog

Issues

• Carmel Watershed Issues

Water Supply

• CalAm Use of Carmel River Groundwater Basin

Dam Removal

• San Clemente Dam Removal

Stakeholders

• Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD)
• California-America Water Company (Cal-Am)
• Monterey County Water Resources Agency
• Carmel River Steelhead Association (CRSA)
• ...

Timeline

Pick out key dates from this link

• Carmel River History

CSUMB Courses Relevant to the Carmel Watershed

• ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems
• ENVS 660/L Advanced Watershed Science and Policy
• ...

Links

• Maps of the Carmel River Watershed
• California Central Coast Gage Locations
• Carmel River Lagoon
• San Clemente Dam
• Reservoirs
  • Los Padres Reservoir
  • San Clemente Reservoir
• Publications
  • CSUMB-CCoWS Carmel Watershed Assessment
    • Physical and Hydrological Assessment Report
    • Poster map set
• EcoViz:SEP_Focus_Sites