Source: sjvwater.org

Going with the flow…while it lasts

Fetched 2026-07-11 08:00 from sjvwater.org

Reading Summary (AI-generated)

Reading Summary: “Going with the Flow…While It Lasts”

Source: SJV Water | sjvwater.org

Key Facts

• The City of Bakersfield committed to releasing Kern River water through the normally dry urban riverbed at least through July 30th
• “Sunsets on the River” events are held every Thursday at Yokuts Park at 6:30 p.m. until sunset — free, no registration required
• Activities include rubber duck races, fly fishing demos, and flora/fauna education; water fights are encouraged
• Bring Back the Kern and Water Audit California sued Bakersfield in 2022 over river operations
• The main lawsuit returns to court in February 2027; a portion may reach the California Supreme Court in September

Who Is Affected

• City of Bakersfield residents and families (recreation access)
• Kern River ecosystem (normally dry through the urban stretch)
• Advocacy groups: Bring Back the Kern and Kern River Parkway Foundation

Policy/Legal Angle

• Central legal question: Public Trust Doctrine, which requires water use to serve the greatest public benefit, including environmental and recreational purposes
• Lawsuit filed 2022 challenging Bakersfield’s river operations under this doctrine
• California Supreme Court may weigh in September on a portion of the case

Blog Angles

1. Public Trust Doctrine as a tool: Is this lawsuit a viable template for other California cities diverting rivers away from urban corridors? What precedent could the Supreme Court ruling set?
2. Temporary vs. permanent flows: Why does Bakersfield only commit to flows through July 30th — what happens to water rights and allocations after that date, and who controls that decision?
3. Grassroots pressure working? Did the 2022 lawsuit directly motivate the city’s temporary flow commitment, or are other factors (wet year surplus, political pressure) at play?

Full Text

Going with the flow…while it lasts

The City of Bakersfield pledged to run some of its Kern River water down the normally dry river bed through town at least until July 30th this year.

While it lasts, the Kern River Parkway Foundation and Bring Back the Kern are hoping to draw attention to the difference a little water makes in the river bed by holding “Sunsets on the River” events at Yokuts Park each Thursday through the rest of the month.

The events, which start at 6:30 p.m. and run until sunset, are low-key with no need to register and no cost to families. Volunteers host rubber duck races, provide fly fishing demonstrations, talk about the natural flora and fauna in and around the river, and more. Water fights are encouraged.

Bring Back the Kern, along with Water Audit California, sued Bakersfield in 2022 seeking to have river operations studied under the Public Trust Doctrine, which requires water be used to the greatest public benefit, including for the environment and recreation. A portion of that lawsuit may be heard by the California Supreme Court in September , while the main lawsuit is scheduled to come back to court in February 2027.

In the meantime, Bring Back the Kern hopes to take full advantage of the temporarily flowing river.