Kern River Status Update
Over the weekend, the Three Day Mean at Lake Isabella dropped below 100 CFS. Without any changes in the forecast, River flow in July 2021 is likely to replace July 2014 as the driest July on record. This follows after June 2021 is likely to beat the record set in 2015 for lowest June runoff for the Kern River. There is a strong possibility that this summer will be the driest on record.
Due to these historically low River flows, instead of the previously issued proration, the District will be forced to institute a waiting list effective immediately. 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 far the River has dropped, the District is providing this graph, showing River flow starting in mid-April to today, compared to what the River did in 2013, 2014, and 2015. |
