Morone Saxatilis: The Striped Bass

Around 2006 invasive Striped Bass took over and colonized the Carmel River Lagoon.  Not only do the striped bass prey on juvenile Steelhead, but outcompete them for food. Besides the threat striped bass pose to steelhead, they also negatively impact red-legged frogs, which are listed as a threatened species.

From: The Carmel Pine Cone
Picture From: http://www.connecticutsaltwaterfishing.com/2011/11/protecting-striped-bass.html

A more permanent management policy for the Carmel Lagoon is within reach.

"Monterey County has worked with dozens of federal, state and local agencies to explore plans that would protect homes around the Carmel Lagoon and give Steelhead Trout some breathing room. Early next year, county officials will release a draft environmental impact review for public comment." December, 2014.

From Monterey Herald

The Carmel River has just begun flowing

The Carmel River has just begun flowing after the recent rains. The entire river has been diverted into a man-made river bed flowing through a giant raw notch cut out of a mountain.
The channeling of the Carmel last week into a carefully engineered river bed was designed to bypass the tons of sludge behind the 106-foot-tall San Clemente Dam, which has blocked the river for 94 years.
The 3-year-project, which began last year, required workers with the Granite Construction Company to dynamite a mountain and dig out a million cubic yards of dirt.

From: San Francisco Chronicle 
Picture from: San Clemente Rancho

Carmel River State Beach

Carmel River State Beach on December 12, 1024.
Photo by Vern Fisher - Monterey Herald

The Carmel River will have to breach itself

Mouth of the Carmel River on 12/12/14
Photo by Vern Fisher

Coastal Ohlone groups often traded with inland peoples

"The Indians living in California numbered 340,000 in the late 1700’s, but only 100,000 remained after roughly 70 years of Spanish missionization.

Coastal Ohlone groups often traded shells, dried shellfish, and obsidian to inland peoples. In exchange the Ohlone received arrowheads, pinon nuts, stone and bone beads and chert for tools.

Everyone prized cinnabar from the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains for its use as a red body paint important in ceremonial activities."

From: Missions of the Monterey Bay Area By Emily Abbink, 1996.

Save The Village Corner

"In 1976, born of frustration and nurtured by anger, a grassroots movement sprang up in Carmel with the avowed intent of halting deterioration of the village.  The group Old Carmel was conceived and gained notoriety through its efforts to save the Village Corner, long a favored stopping place of local residents. 

When threatened with a loss of lease and possible conversion to some other purpose, the Village Corner became a rallying point for residents concerned with the proliferation of tourism as Carmel's chief source of business. 

Old Carmel counts the saving of the Village Corner as their first victory. "Ben Lyon, Randy Reinstedt, George Faul, Mindy Faia and several others banded together to help then owner George Rockwood to keep the popular restaurant on the northeast corner of Dolores Street and Sixth Avenue.  The group initially named itself The Old Carmel Foundation which eventually evolved into Carmel Tomorrow."

From: Carmel By The Sea

San Clemente Dam October 2014

San Clemente Dam October 2014

From: http://www.sanclementedamremoval.org/?page_id=1283