KDWD Newsletter August 31, 2021

Kern River Status Update

Last week the July 2021 inflow numbers were finalized. These numbers confirmed that 2021 is the second driest year on record, with an April through July Runoff of 15% of average.

Due to these historically low River flows, instead of the previously issued Kern Island Canal proration, the District has instituted a waiting list. Surface water will be made available to District growers proportionately on a daily basis. District staff will continue to monitor the situation daily to best manage the water supplies we have.

To help visualize just how low the River is, the District is providing this graph, showing River flow starting in May to today, compared to what the River did in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Below is a list of upcoming meetings that may interest our growers. The information presented at these meetings may directly affect agricultural practices and costs.

Upcoming Meetings:

Kern River Groundwater Sustainability Agency
First Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM
The next meeting will be on September 2
Water Resources Department
1000 Buena Vista Road
Kern River Watershed Coalition Authority
First Thursday of the month at 1:00 PM
The next meeting will be on September 2
Via Microsoft Teams
See Agenda for Log In Information
Kern Groundwater Authority
Fourth Wednesday of the month at 8:00 AM
Next Meeting: September 22
To Be Determined