For the first time in 17 years, the Kern River “intertie” will be opened on Monday to release Kern River flood waters into the California Aqueduct, according to the Kern River Watermaster. The move is an attempt to keep more flood water off the already waterlogged Tulare Lake bed as officials anticipate significantly increased Kern River flows starting in mid-June. River flows are expected to increase shortly to 7,500 cfs and could potentially go above 9,000 cfs in mid-June, according to Department of Water Resources estimates. Lake Isabella is anticipated to fill beyond its maximum capacity, to 658,262, sometime in mid-June forcing outflows up to 9,234 cfs, according to a May 8 DWR estimate provided by Kern County Administrative Officer Ryan Alsop.

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