Kern River Status Update
Transfer water may be available at times through the remainder of April in order to meet end of month storage caps. As always, growers district wide are encouraged to reach out to the Dispatch Office to let us know of any potential demand.
Last week the Department of Water Resources (DWR) issued their B-120 April 1 Forecast. That forecast incorporated the 6-day forecasted precipitation from the California Nevada River Forecast Center and then assumes median climatology for the remainder of the forecast period. The 50% exceedance for the Kern River from April through July is 440,000 acre feet. That is 103% of average for DWR’s model period from 1991 to 2020. That is 97% of the Kern Rivers long term historical average. Given this forecast, the District anticipates that water will be available to all Utility ground through the end of August though waiting lists may be necessary from time to time. Prorations for State ground will be released later this month. |