HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/17/23 WATER BOARD (2)BAKERSFIELD
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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
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: None
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
18, 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 th/m ing at 10:51 p.m.
Bob Smith, Chairman
City of Bakersfield Water Board
K,Oiberly Alema ',_Secretary
City of Bakersfield Water
Board