Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.17.23 WB Minutes Regular MtgBAKER FIELD THE SOUND OF 5midimf 96* MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE WATER BOARD - CITY OF BAKERSFIELD Wednesday, May 17, 2023 - 10:00 a.m. Water Resources Conference Room 1000 Buena Vista Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93311 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Smith, Member Freeman, Member Gonzales Absent: No n e 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS - None 4. MINUTES A. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 19, 2023. Motion by Member Gonzales to approve the Minutes of April 19, 2023. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED 5. KERN RIVER LEVEE DISTRICT - None 6. REPORTS A. Update on Department's Response to Flooding Concerns within the City of Bakersfield Daniel Maldonado, Assistant Water Resources Director, presented a PowerPoint presentation titled Update on Flooding Concerns in Bakersfield. Mr. Maldonado explained the current Kern River Inflow, Outflow, and Isabella Reservoir Operations 2022-2023 graph. Utilizing a straight line and four different colors to show the gross pool of 560,000 acre-feet (Ac -Ft), current storage, inflow 8,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), and outflow 7,000 cfs. Using the forecast from Department of Water Resources (DWR) Bulletin 120; projected storage, inflow, and outflow was shown on the graph as well. Peak Bakersfield, California, May 17, 2023 — Page 2 outflow, using the forecast, is projected to be approximately 9,234 cfs expected on June 18, 2023. Peak inflow, using the forecast, is projected to be approximately 14,846 cfs expected on May 23, 2023. Peak storage, using the forecast, is projected to be approximately 658,262 ac -ft expected on June 181 2023. The Army Corp ordered the Kern River Interest to increase their outflows out of Isabella from 7,000 cfs to 7,500 cfs on May 17, 2023. DWR is scheduled to issue their updated Bulletin 120 on May 18, 2023, which will show the impact the increased outflow will have on projections and storage going forward. Member Freeman asked the significance of the pool number of 568,000 ac -ft, to which Mr. Maldonado explained the capacity of the main dam at Isabella is 568,000 ac -ft any water in excess is spilling over in a controlled release. Obligations to bring down the storage level later in the season to prepare for next year's snowmelt is still a factor to be considered. Isabella is a flood storage, preparing for the wet seasons and having enough storage for rain events. Kern River Interest can request an increase in carryover water from the Army Corp and anticipates submitting a request for this year. In response to Member Freeman's inquiry about water being put in the California Aqueduct, Mr. Maldonado explained with the increased flow rates and the Kern River Interests determining the need to activate the DWR California Aqueduct Intertie to accommodate the upcoming outflows. Our main objective is to keep water in Kern County and our next objective is to keep water from entering in to Tulare Lake and flooding that area. Regarding water ownership, Member Freeman requested clarification to who's water is going into the Aqueduct. Miguel Chavez, Hydrographic Supervisor, explained that each Kern River interest has a set percentage of storage allowed in Isabella Lake. Coming out first is the water owned by the Kern River interest who is overstored in Isabella and most likely will be the water going into the Aqueduct. Mr. Maldonado proceeded with his presentation demonstrating what 7,000 cfs, outflow from Isabella Dam looks like from First Point of Measurement, near Lake Ming, through the different diversion points. The first diversion point downstream is the Beardsley River Weir and the Beardsley Canal. The Beardsley Canal has a capacity of 800 cfs, once diverted leaves 6,200 cfs, of water continuing down the Kern River. The next diversion structure is the Carrier Canal Headgate which diverts 550 cfs from the river leaving the remaining 5,650 cfs flowing down the Kern River. Canal weir capacities are set amounts. Our FEMA certified levees are rated for 10,200 cfs, so at this point we are at approximately half of our rated capacity. Calloway Canal Headgate diverts 800 cfs off the Kern River and Farmer -Stine Anderson Weir diverts 600 cfs off the Kern River leaving the remaining 4,200 cfs, which is considered the flows through Bakersfield which starts at Golden State Avenue. Chairman Smith inquired about the levees to the north side and west of Golden State as only levees on the south side were shown on the map. Mr. Maldonado explained that Kern County Water Agency is responsible for the levees west of Golden State and the north side levees of the Kern River. Next diversion is the River Canal Headgate and River Canal Backup Weir area to which the Kern River Canal Headgate diverts 600 cfs Bakersfield, California, May 17, 2023 — Page 3 off the Kern River leaving 3,600 cfs flowing down the Kern River. Truxtun Lakes is controlled, diverted water from the Kern River. The next diversion area is the Bellevue Weir which is in the river near the Park at River Walk, that has two diversion structures, Pioneer Canal and Rosedale Canal. This diversion area diverts 700 cfs off the Kern River leaving 2,900 cfs, flowing down the Kern River going to recharge areas, 2800 Acres, and the water included into the DWR California Aqueduct Intertie. The City of Bakersfield is taking other proactive measures such as the Water Resources Department has shifted to 24-hour operation of the Kern River Levee System. Daily and ongoing maintenance activities to ensure the safe diversion of the Kern River Water. Constant coordination with the County and Emergency Operations Center for latest up-to-date information. Coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers on a weekly and ongoing basis to minimize the peak flow out of Isabella Dam. Chairman Smith clarified current water flows are what we are expecting to see which is 50% to 1/3 of the FEMA certified 10,200 cfs flood capacity levees. Mr. Maldonado confirmed all planning efforts and forecasts are suggesting current flows are at or near what we will be expecting as the snowmelt season continues. Water Board Members requested a PR strategy of weekly or regular messages and that all media messages be consistent on all platforms used. Water Board Members requested to be updated when the new DWR Bulletin 120 is released on May 18, 2023. 7. HEARINGS - None 8. NEW BUSINESS - None 9. WATER BOARD STATEMENTS - None 10. CLOSED SESSION — None 11. CLOSED SESSION ACTION - None 12. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Smith adjourned the meeting at 10:51 p.m. Bob Smith, Chairman City of Bakersfield Water Board r Kimberly Aleman, Secretary City of Bakersfield Water Board