KDWD Newsletter June 9, 2020

Kern River Status Update

The District office is undergoing an extensive remodel and addition project that is expected to last six months. After June 15, 2020 there will be no access to the District office building and parking lot. Please use Ramos Avenue for public parking during this time. All District staff will be positioned in temporary office locations in the yard and shop. There will be signage directing the public to Ramos Avenue where they will find access to the temporary office trailer. Our water delivery capabilities will not be diminished during the project. However, we ask that in-person visits be kept to a minimum and encourage our customers to do as much business as possible over the phone.

Last week, the Department of Water Resources updated its May B-120 forecast for the year. The DWR forecast predicts that the April through July runoff for the Kern River will be around 48% of normal. This forecast is based on observed conditions through June 2.

All District Canals are operating for the summer run. Growers are encouraged to contact the Dispatch office at (661) 834-4653 for their proration balances.

To help visualize the current state of the River, the District is providing this graph that compares flow rates for the two-year periods of 2017-2018, 2018-2019, the current period of 2019-2020, as well as other two-year periods in which the first year was above average for the Kern River. The flows for this year are estimates only and subject to revision.
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 July 9
City Hall North Conference Room A
1600 Truxtun Ave
Kern River Watershed Coalition Authority
First Thursday of the month at 1:00 PM
The next meeting will be on July 2
Kern County Water Agency
3200 Rio Mirada Drive
Kern Groundwater Authority
Fourth Wednesday of the month at 8:00 AM
Next Meeting: June 24
To Be Determined