The Kern River isn’t especially deep or wide to quote Merle Haggard – but it is one of the wildest rivers in the state. It’s also a mecca for whitewater enthusiasts in search of thrilling adventures down the canyon every spring and summer.
But with California mired in a historic drought, and snowpack only around 10 percent of normal for this time of year average, this year may be different. Among those feeling the pain are the many companies that specialize in whitewater tours on the Kern River, both below and above Lake Isabella.
"It’s a harsh, harsh reality out there," says Lois Henry of The Bakersfield Californian. She joined us on Valley Edition to talk about the way the drought is hampering recreation in Kern County.
HENRY: “Last year was so dismal and this year is shaping up to be worse. Two of the folks already in the Kern Valley area – Kern River Tours and Kern River Outfitters – have already decided there just isn’t enough water for them to operate.”
Henry spoke with the Kern River Watermaster about the future water supply in regard to rafting.
HENRY: "I talked to the Kern River water master and he says the levels are so low because the lake has been drained out as low as it can be drained last year, the snowpack this year doesn’t come up to snuff that they don’t even have models for how to operate the river at this level. They can’t even tell the rafters, yes, we will be releasing water at this time.”
