Gary Ananian News Today

The large event is held every year in Kernville and celebrates the Kern River Valley's rich history.

In a day of cleaning up organized by the Kern River Conservancy, local volunteers and Kern County employees started to clear out the area the Whiskey Flat Encampment is held on.

Operators of the power plant just south of the Lake Isabella Dam are requesting flows out of the dam be reduced so that they are able to perform maintenance.

After the flooding earlier this year, Kern River Valley residents are a little worried about rain and wind, but most are staying "cautiously optimistic," as campground owner Beverly Demetriff says.

In a normal year, the Kern River Conservancy hires staff to help out during the nonprofits busy summer season.

The speed and high flows of the Kern River are hampering rescue crews' efforts, but they say they'll stay until it's done.

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Following a declaration completely closing access to the Upper Kern River, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux has modified the order to allow access to experienced and properly equipped people and groups.

With this year's 300 percent snowpack melting into the river, the water is expected to be higher, faster, and colder than it has been in several years.

Kern River Conservancy Executive Director Gary Ananian says the park, which had been scheduled to open in June, will be delayed until at least the fall as the site is cleared of flood debris.