SeeCalifornia.com

Photos: Endangered California red-legged frog and San Clemente Dam in Monterey County

MONTEREY COUNTY, CALIF. — It’s been 20+ years in the planning to remove 106-foot-high San Clemente Dam, identified as seismically unfit in 1991-92. Demolition of the dam is scheduled for October 2015, part of an unconventional project costing $84 million to re-route Carmel River to the Pacific Ocean.

When you stand at Carmel River State Beach on the south end of Carmel, the beauty is striking.  The trickling water from Carmel River makes its 36-mile journey from coastal Santa Lucia mountains through Carmel Valley to the beach. In 1921 San Clemente Dam was built, creating a water source for growing Monterey County. Eventually sediment choked water flow, there wasn’t enough water to pump, and the dam became a liability. Rather than remove several hundred-thousand truckloads of sediment and dirt feeding into the dam a decision was made to leave it in place and restore the area. Endangered red-legged frogs  and steelhead fish that spawn in the river are going to get some help, too.

Believe it or not! Carmel River Steelhead Association (CSRA) volunteers have spent the last 30 years rescuing fingerlings in the lower river and tributaries as water dries up in the summer. Members have volunteered an average of 500 hours per year to rescue approx. 10,000 young steelhead per year. These tiny fish are put in the lagoon or areas of the river where there is a chance for survival.