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Residents, scientists press Bakersfield council over Kern River drying and mass fish deaths
Summary
Scientists and residents told the Sept. 11 city council that thousands of fish have died as flows in the Kern River fell after Labor Day; city staff said reduced flows reflected available water and legal obligations, and councilmembers referred the issue to a standing interdepartmental meeting while continuing legal advocacy.
At the Sept. 11 Bakersfield City Council meeting, residents, university scientists and river advocates urged city leaders to act after a sudden reduction of flows in the Kern River that speakers said has produced a mass die‑off of fish.
"3,033. This is the number of dead fish," said Dr. Rae McNish, a freshwater ecologist and associate professor at California State University, Bakersfield, who told the council her research team documented that total in roughly a 1.5‑mile stretch over the past seven days and described multiple mass fish‑death events since Aug. 28.
Other public speakers echoed the ecological concerns and urged the city to seek alternatives to the recent drawdown, including proposals to plan maintenance with a bypass that would divert water and aquatic life downstream during repairs.
City staff described why flows were reduced and the limits on immediate city action. The city manager told the council that "the reality is ... we don't have water to run through the river that is ours," and explained the city had operated flows during the March–August "Millerhagen season" but lacks the city‑owned water to maintain that level of flow now. The city attorney urged advocates to engage directly with agencies that also hold water rights, saying constituents should "go to Kern Delta" and other district public meetings to press for water in the river.
Professor Antje Laua, who provided a copy of the Kern River Canal backup weir reconstruction project and the related streambed alteration agreement, said the California Department of Fish and Wildlife had identified protective measures and warned the recent halt in flows coincided with the deaths she and others documented. She told the council the situation may conflict with state Fish and Game Code provisions discussed in her remarks.
Councilmember Arias said much of the community's message has been heard and proposed creating a standing meeting that would bring together city departments, water division staff, parks and recreation, university scientists and advocates to coordinate next steps; he said he would make that referral to staff. Councilmembers and staff also noted the city has pursued legal and administrative avenues, including filings with the State Water Resources Control Board, to secure additional water allocations.
The council did not take a formal vote on new river policy at the meeting. City staff said they will continue legal advocacy and coordination with local water districts while the proposed standing interdepartmental meeting is organized.
