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Researchers document rapid dewatering and fish kills on Lower Kern River
Summary
Cal State Bakersfield researchers reported a rapid dewatering event in summer 2024 that stranded thousands of fish across multiple river miles and led to higher temperatures and localized oxygen stress; the observations are informing monitoring, outreach and litigation.
Ray McNish, freshwater ecologist at Cal State Bakersfield, described intensive weekly monitoring of the Lower Kern River last summer and an abrupt dewatering event that left hundreds-to-thousands of fish stranded and dead over short river reaches.
McNish showed before‑and‑after field photos documenting a widely flowing river turned into largely dry riverbed with isolated refugia pools. He said a single refugia pool contained more than 300 dead and stranded fish during team visits. Field teams recorded…
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