Center for Biological Diversity: BAKERSFIELD, Calif. A Kern County Superior Court has ruled against the city of Bakersfield and agricultural water storage districts for diverting water from the Kern River, siding with environmental groups that sought a preliminary injunction on the harmful practice of entirely drying up the river in and downstream of the city of Bakersfield. Monday’s ruling prohibits the city from implementing diversions that reduce river flows below the volume necessary to maintain good condition for fish.
The Bakersfield Art Association has partnered with river advocacy group Bring Back the Kern to highlight the many benefits of keeping the Kern River flowing through Bakersfield year-round.
The City of Bakersfield is not ready to lift Stage 2 water restrictions just yet, but advocates say just seeing the river surge back to life brings a healing all its own.
The City of Bakersfield is being sued by multiple conservation groups for diverting the Kern River for its own benefit and the benefit of multiple water districts.