It could cost $27 million, or more, to revamp and reopen the Kernville hatchery as a Kern River rainbow trout breeding facility, according to a report commissioned by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Costs would be less to rehab the hatchery as just a fish planting base but neither the report nor CDFW had estimates for that lesser function. In either case, those amounts are separate from what CDFW is already spending to rebuild about a mile-long siphon to bring Kern River water into the hatchery. The siphon project is expected to cost $7 million and be completed in 2027.