Amador County – In other fish-related news…El Dorado Irrigation District officials are monitoring fish populations as part of the rehabilitation process for Caples Lake, after emergency drawdowns left it dry since mid-summer. In mid-November, staff from the El Dorado Irrigation District, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the United States Forest Service, along with volunteers from Trout Unlimited, conducted a fisheries survey at Caples Creek. The survey was an early step in the fisheries plan to monitor fish populations after faulty slide gates prompted emergency repairs and forced the officials to drain the lake. “The monitoring is needed because we had to deviate from requirements specified in our FERC license to facilitate the emergency repairs at Caples Lake main dam,” explained Brian Deason, EID senior hydroelectric compliance specialist. “Crews used backpack electrofishing units and dip nets to capture fish during the survey. Fish were identified, measured, and weighed before being released back into the stream.” Deason said that a follow-up survey will be conducted next year after normal license minimum streamflows are returned and the survey sites can be safely accessed. Staff Report (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).