Uncategorized Archives - Page 8 of 25

Judge limits Bakersfield’s take of Kern River water and orders all sides to the drawing board over fish flows

December 28, 2023

• by Lois Henry

Kern County Superior Court Judge Gregory Pulskamp issued a modified injunction on Kern River flows Wednesday that curbs the City of Bakersfield’s take and orders all rights holders to consult on how much water is needed for fish. On Nov. 14, Pulskamp had ordered 40% of the river’s flows be kept in the stream bed…

Uncategorized

After 50 years in Kings County water, Don Mills retires – mostly

December 22, 2023

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water

When Don Mills graduated from Cal Poly in 1973, he moved back to the family farm in Kings County, intent on helping his father and uncle run the operation. But fate stepped in and Mills, a crop science major, was swept into the water business. Unbeknownst to him, the property he had purchased near Hanford…

Uncategorized

“Surprised and overjoyed” groundwater managers in Madera rejoice at state’s approval of their plan to stabilize the region’s aquifer

December 22, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

The Madera subbasin’s groundwater plan was approved by the state on Thursday much to the surprise of water managers and others throughout the valley. It was an unexpected win for groundwater agencies in light of the state’s rejection of six other San Joaquin Valley plans, which has put those subbasins on a trajectory for possible…

Uncategorized

Historic fish flow ruling on the Kern River wasn’t intended to expand Bakersfield’s water rights, according to judge

December 21, 2023

• by Lois Henry

Kern County Superior Court Judge Gregory Pulskamp made one thing clear during the latest hearing on the twists and turns of the Kern River’s flow: He did not intend to expand the City of Bakersfield’s water rights under his November ruling that mandated enough water must remain in the river channel for fish populations. That…

Uncategorized

James K. Herbert, the visionary behind a vast Tulare County land preserve, dies at 85

December 20, 2023

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water

Nearly 25 years ago, the donation of a single parcel of undisturbed prairie in Tulare County became the impetus for a land conservation movement in the region. The donor, James K. Herbert, passed away at age 85 on Dec. 5. But his legacy lives on, both at the 725-acre James K. Herbert Wetland Prairie Preserve…

Uncategorized

State’s groundwater enforcement timeline is “not nearly as ambitious” as originally envisioned

December 20, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

State staff revealed it will be well into 2025 before all of the “inadequate” groundwater subbasins will start probationary hearings. The state Water Resources Control Board held a meeting on Tuesday where staff discussed the tentative schedule and heard from water agencies and members of the public. The Water Board is the enforcement arm under…

Uncategorized

MEETING NOTES: Rosedale-Rio Bravo seeing groundwater levels come up – mostly

December 19, 2023

• by Sonia Lemus, freelance for SJV Water

* “Kern Meeting Notes” is a new feature focused on Kern County water districts, funded through a grant from the James B. McClatchy Foundation. Please consider supporting SJV Water to continue this important coverage. Meeting: Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District board of directors Date: Dec. 12, 2023 Agenda and Board packet: CLICK HERE Major topic:…

Uncategorized

Army Corps approves cuts to Isabella Dam releases as groups look for ways to protect Kern River fish flows and legal maneuvers expand

December 19, 2023

• by Lois Henry

The Army Corps of Engineers approved a request by operators of the power plant at the base of the dam to drastically cut water releases between Dec. 18 and Jan. 7 for a planned repair project to the plant. Under the approval, releases would drop from between 500 and 700 cubic feet per second down…

Uncategorized

MEETING NOTES: Arvin-Edison board concerned by continued subsidence beneath Friant-Kern Canal

December 18, 2023

• by Sonia Lemus, freelance for SJV Water

* “Kern Meeting Notes” is a new feature focused on Kern County water districts, funded through a grant from the James B. McClatchy Foundation. Please consider supporting SJV Water to continue this important coverage. Meeting: Arvin-Edison Water Storage District board of directors Date: Dec. 12, 2023 Agenda and Packet: CLICK HERE Major topic: Friant-Kern Canal…

Uncategorized

Isabella power plant repairs postponed to protect Kern River fish flows – for now

December 15, 2023

• by Lois Henry

Work on a power plant at the base of Isabella Dam has been postponed while plant owners and several public interest groups look for a solution to keep enough water in the Kern River to protect fish. “We are not proceeding on the 18th and are working to find a solution that works for everyone,”…

NEWS

Judge limits Bakersfield’s take of Kern River water and orders all sides to the drawing board over fish flows

After 50 years in Kings County water, Don Mills retires – mostly

“Surprised and overjoyed” groundwater managers in Madera rejoice at state’s approval of their plan to stabilize the region’s aquifer

Historic fish flow ruling on the Kern River wasn’t intended to expand Bakersfield’s water rights, according to judge

James K. Herbert, the visionary behind a vast Tulare County land preserve, dies at 85

State’s groundwater enforcement timeline is “not nearly as ambitious” as originally envisioned

MEETING NOTES: Rosedale-Rio Bravo seeing groundwater levels come up – mostly

Army Corps approves cuts to Isabella Dam releases as groups look for ways to protect Kern River fish flows and legal maneuvers expand

MEETING NOTES: Arvin-Edison board concerned by continued subsidence beneath Friant-Kern Canal

Isabella power plant repairs postponed to protect Kern River fish flows – for now

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter & Get Email Notifications