Click here for upper and lower kern river flows courtesy of dreamflows using us army corp of engineer data. Regardless, visitors are coming and admiring the historic flow of the kern. Looking at historical flows, our snowpack data, and forecasted flows from third parties, we are confident it will rise to high flows sometime in the. Usgs 11189500 sf kern r nr onyx ca usgs water data for the. The watersaturated aquifer that the kern river fan is part of is hundreds of feet thick. Upper kern river flow information california whitewater. In fact, the dam saved bakersfield from flooding in 1966 when some 598,400 gallons of water per second rushed down the kern river canyon, nearly bringing the.
Mark arax is an author and journalist whose writings on california and the west have received numerous awards for literary nonfiction. Learn more about our 2020 schedule and rates for the kern river rafting season. It is one of the southernmost rivers on the western slope of the mountains, and drains a high, relatively dry plateau country of 982 square miles 2,540 km 2 along the sierra crest. The company also books trips for other companies on the lower kern river.
Kern river rafting white water rafting trip discounts. The closest fault, kern canyon along the north fork of the kern river to engineers point between the main and auxiliary dams, was described until recently as seismically inactive. Kern river outfitters since 1980 we have offered river rafting trips on the upper, lower and forks of the kern. The 10 best things to do in kernville 2020 with photos. Floods of december 1966 in the kernkaweah area, kern and. Kern river rafting companies thrilled with snowpack 89. Archives and spectacular displays interpreting the rich and complex social, cultural and economic history of the kern river valley are offered to visitors without charge. Cross the little kern and the trail continues up the kern river. Kern river camping 2018 the kern river provides some of the best camping in southern california. Sierras white water rafting in 4k overnight trip on the.
Almost a mile down and the trail enters the golden trout wilderness. Water supply in the mojave river ground water basin, 193199, and the benefits of artificial recharge verticaldeformation, water level, microgravity, geodetic, water chemistry, and flow rate data collected during injection, storage, and recovery tests at lancaster, antelope valley, california. Our company is a family business with sister outfits in southern oregon and on the middle fork of the salmon, idaho. Kern in 1845 who, as the story goes, nearly drowned in the turbulent waters. Home to hundreds of species of native wildlife and plants, the kern river preserve has an active education, outreach, and stewardship. Jan 06, 2017 water is flowing in the kern river through bakersfield. With many of the campgrounds located directly adjacent to the river, ample fishing, rafting and simply enjoying the river is available to campers. Kern river flow and levels 2020 kern river rafting. The fifth column to the right labeled outflow cfs is the lower kern water flows. Dreamflowsgenerated graph of realtime flows for north fork kern river at kernville no. Our company is a family business with sister outfits in southern oregon and on the middle fork of the salmon, idaho stay connected by subscribing to our newsletter for special. American whitewater is the primary advocate for the preservation and protection of whitewater rivers throughout the united states and connects the interests of humanpowered recreational river users with ecological and sciencebased data to achieve goals within our mission. Kern river valley revitalization upper river fishery management.
Kern river first point flow and diversion record, dated december 5, 2005, with proposed forfeiture entitlement. Walker led yet another party through the kern valley. Kern river rafting white water rafting story kern river. The valley of the lower south fork kern river was once inhabited by the tubatulabal and kawaiisu tribes. Kern river rafting trips in southern california with kern river outfitters, the premier outfitter on the kern river. Table of water diversions via the kern river california aqueduct intertie. Jan 23, 2020 within kern county, the present day kern river is an example of two distinct river environments. The kern river is generally divided into two different sections.
Bishop flyfishing guide service is a yearround full service guide service, driftboat trips, flyfishing classes and seminars. Kern river rafting southern californias best river trip 2020. Ask us about discounts for nonprofit groups on the upper kern river, class iv trips take 20% off of camping february 1stapril 15th, during early spring camping at mras upper kern river campground we are proud to extend a military discount to active. Min 1961 25th percentile most recent instantaneous value may 15 median mean 75th percentile max 1978 6. The kern river valley is bounded by several major earthquake faults. Notice the usgs water resources mission areas priority is to maintain the safety and wellbeing of our communities, including providing critical situational awareness in times of flooding in all 50 u. Kayaking rafting paddleboarding in the kern river sierra. The river enters the reservoir at the end of a small delta. Kern river camping all campgrounds listed kern river camping. Water diverted through two slidegate valves is conveyed by a flowline. Kern was the topographer of fremonts third expedition through the american west. For the next several years, isabella lake has a restricted elevation of 2,589 feet at 361,250 acrefeet.
Space is extremely limited so call today or book online. Kern river the north fork and south fork of the kern wild and scenic river is located within a fourhour drive of more than onethird of the population of southern california. Massive runoff on the kern river triggers record flow, taking. Since 1980 we have offered river rafting trips on the upper, lower and forks of the kern. Within kern county, the present day kern river is an example of two distinct river environments. Table of water diversions via the kern rivercalifornia aqueduct intertie. Weve already seen two deaths in the kern this year and the river season hasnt. This sanctuary is 1127 acres of the largest contiguous riparian forest in california. The bakersfield department of water resources is a municipal utility in bakersfield, california.
The song peaked at number 10 on the billboard hot country singles chart. The company had been leisurely developing a hydroelectric facility on the kern river since 1897. Water from kern lake would then flow west through buena vista slough into buena vista lake. Informational postings maps system map kern river gas. The kern river flows through kernville after a light snow in the mountains.
This continued until the 1950s when the isabella dam and reservoir were constructed to help regulate the river flow. Shot by drone from below the lake isabella main dam. With its range of elevation, topography and vegetation, it offers a broad spectrum of recreation opportunities for all. At whitewater voyages, youll enjoy the company of the most experienced guides on the river. Lake isabella and kern river valley areas daily weather. Water supply in the mojave river groundwater basin, 193199, and the benefits of artificial recharge verticaldeformation, waterlevel, microgravity, geodetic, waterchemistry, and flowrate data collected during injection, storage, and recovery tests at lancaster, antelope valley, california. The math adds up lake isabella draw down to provide amazing whitewater this season. More than 4,000 laborers tunnel through earth and rock to divert water from the owens river along a path through eastern kern county to a reservoir in the san fernando valley. Isabella dam is an embankment dam located in the kern river valley, about halfway down the kern river course, between the towns of kernville and lake isabella in kern county, california isabella dam serves agricultural, hydroelectric, and flood control uses. Tsa imbalance historyoba imbalance historyshipper imbalance. The kern valley canyon connection and all contents are 19952011 m.
Primarily it manages the citys water rights to the kern river. Bakersfield department of water resources wikipedia. Hearings program state water resources control board. Our mission is to preserve and communicate the rich and colorful history of this region. Check the latest flow rates for the east walker river and the owens river.
Our hydrologic monitoring stations continue to send data in near realtime to nwisweb, and we are continuing critical water monitoring activities to. The kern river preserve is managed by audubon california for the national audubon society. Proposed kern river first point flow and diversion record blank 220. Kern river is a song written and recorded by american country music artist merle haggard backed by the strangers. But while the legislature acknowledged appropriation in the rule books, it did not repeal riparianism, which remained bang, smack and earlier embedded in the state constitution.
Watch the video for kern river from merle haggards down every road 19621994 for free, and see the artwork, lyrics and similar artists. The maximum diversion capacity at democrat for power generation is 412 cubic feet per second cfs. California department of water resources river conditions. Kern, for whom kern county, kernville and the kern river valley and all named. The army corp of engineers provides the data for water flows found here. The ken river originates near the village ahirgawan on the northwest slopes of barner range in katni district and travels a distance of 427 km, before merging with the yamuna at chilla village, district banda in uttar pradesh at. The two main ways to enter into the valley are, from the west, via bakersfield on highway 178, through the scenic kern river canyon, or from highway 14 to highway 178, and then over the historic walker pass, from the east. They also include photos and relevant videos of the lines. Two day, one day, half day and shorter trip pricing available. Usgs 11189500 sf kern r nr onyx ca usgs water data for. The kern valley museum in downtown kernville, next to the post office, welcomes visitors to explore our rich history. In the sierra nevada, the kern river is in a classic vshaped canyon fig.
Cdec are by agreement and provided to expand your water flow information. Kern river season will be eighth driest on books news. Lake isabella the reservoir created by the dam also serves as a recreational and tourist attraction. The kern river valley historical society is celebrating over 50 years of operation. Water flows in kern river through bakersfield youtube. On february 4, 2014 the central valley regional water quality control board water. Ken has an overall drainage basin of 28,058 km 2, out of which 12,620 km 2 belong to sonar river its largest tributary, whose entire basin lies in madhya. The town of whiskey flat is established also called williamsburg. Daily discharge, cubic feet per second statistics for may 15 based on 93 water years of record more.
Class ii, iii, and iv whitewater rafting trips, from a few hours to two days. White water rafting trips on all california rivers make great family adventure vacations. A major kern county oil spill in environmentally conscious california by julia. Sce diverts up to 600 cfs of water from the fairview to the kr3 powerhouse above the lickity run. Daily discharge, cubic feet per second statistics for apr 27 based on 93 water years of record more. The party camped where the north and south forks of the kern river joined, a spot which is now deep under the waters of isabella lake. Daily weather forecasts for lake isabella, kernville, kern river valley and sequoia national forest areas are compiled from 4 different weather sources, compared locally, and updated by hand every morning. It was released in july 1985 as the only single and title track from his album kern river. Its original confluence with the kern is submerged under the lake, which is formed by isabella dam. Kern river first point flow and diversion record, dated december 5, 2005.
Kern river california 2020 all you need to know before. Min 2015 25th percentile median most recent instantaneous value apr 27 mean 75th percentile max 1969 11. Didion, mary austins lyrical the land of little rain, norris hundleys authoritative the great thirst, william kahrls gorgeous, shamefully outofprint the california water atlas, and, jumping genres, chinatown, with its watercrazed. Army corp of engineers lake isabella dam home page. The resulting surge in the flow is one for the history books. In his quest to develop adequate sources of cheap hydroelectricity to power his trolley systems, henry huntington purchased the kern river company in 1902. With its range of elevation, topography and vegetation, it offers a broad spectrum of recreation opportunities for all seasons of the year. Some sections of the upper kern flow longer than others because of diversion tunnels and mini dams. American whitewater is the primary advocate for the preservation and protection of whitewater rivers throughout the united states and connects the interests of humanpowered recreational river users with. The south fork kern river is a tributary of the kern river in the sierra nevada of the u. Winter storm is met by a warm atmospheric event, causing runoff in the mountains above the upper and lower portions of the kern river. Beautiful clear water, perfect for swimming and sliding on the natural waterslide rocks. South fork of the kern kern river flow phone 8775376356 nearby rivers west slope southern sierra rivers eastern sierra rivers.
Most of the water gets diverted back into the main river, and you dont need a lot of water to enjoy the kern river playpark, so even if the flows are low, you can go out and practice your eddy catching skills. In order to have the lake at acceptable levels for that work, and to make best use of the water that is released. The water there is derived from isabella dam, and he said it was even more impacted the last couple of years. Kern river water flow ritual archives kern river outfitters. Water is sent to water retailers that the city has contracts with, and recharge basins to seep into the groundwater table. Look south down the kern river canyon and see other basalt flows across the way. Bakersfield actually straddles a sort of easttowest trending subsurface ridge, called the bakersfield arch, which separates northen and southern basins where the aquifer is thousands of.
Within a decade, a fourway charlie foxtrot between riparians and appropriators over the contents of the kern river was more than a new supreme court case. A major kern county oil spill in environmentally conscious. The last time water flowed west of golden state avenue was in the summer of 2015. The kern river flows through kernville after a light snow in the mountains, north of town. Mar 31, 2016 the company also books trips for other companies on the lower kern river. Thats enough to almost double the flow of the river. The kern river watershed coalition authority krwca is a joint powers authority, established to serve as the coordinator and coalition thirdparty group under the irrigated lands regulatory program ilrp in the kern river watershed portion of the kern county.
Historical research and the author of conflict on the rio grande. His books include a memoir of his fathers murder, a collection of essays about the west, and the bestselling the king of california. Netting and tradingnet imbalauth to post imbalpost imbal dwnldimbal trd. I loved camping here right next to the river and going to the. Francisco garces when he explored the bakersfield area on may 1, 1776. In this part of the river, erosion is the dominant force. Massive runoff on the kern river triggers record flow. Every 12th person goes free on most of our kern river trips except saturdays on the lower kern. The upper south fork flows through a series of rugged canyons, but it also drains a flat, marshy. Humans have lived along the river for approximately 3,000 years. Rapids have multiple descriptions based on water flows. Water, land and the conjunction of the two have inspired some of californias most powerful writing.
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