VIDEO: Groups sue to bring water back to dry section of Kern River

This is the final video in our series exploring how the Kern River is divided up.

Several local groups sued the City of Bakersfield demanding it look at its river operations under the Public Trust Doctrine.

That doctrine requires water in California to be used for the highest beneficial use, which includes the environment and public access, according to the lawsuit.

There’ve been a lot of twists and turns in this lawsuit. Now the trial date has been pushed back to 2027 as the California Supreme Court has agreed to review one portion of the case.

Always something new on the Kern River.

This series:

• Tubatulabal: The tribe lived along the branches of the upper Kern River for 6,000 years.
  
• Yokuts: The Kern River was a lifeline for the various San Joaquin Valley tribes, collectively known as Yokuts.

• Rights: Most Kern River rights are held by agricultural water districts and the City of Bakersfield.
  
• Public Trust: Several local groups believe the public has a right to Kern River water and are suing Bakersfield. August 26, 2025

You can see all SJV Water video projects on our YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@thesjvwaterchannel9570

* Made possible by a grant from the Virginia and Alfred Harrell Foundation.