In preparation for the start of construction on the main and auxiliary dams at Lake Isabella, Kern County officials have been releasing more water, slowly, over the past few weeks.
That flow, combined with the wet winter, has resulted in another type of construction in the form of water recharge basins.
Now, the scramble is on to store as much of this water as possible, after five years of drought.
It's a task that requires the cooperation of all the water districts in the County, and spreading the runoff across acreage that hasn't been used for banking projects in the past.
As for the repairs to the dam, construction is expected to be completed by 2022, and will include numerous improvements including raising the height of both structures by 16 feet.
The water level, that topped out at the predetermined safety height of 361,000 acre feet this winter, is now being reduced to the new mark of 170,000 by November 1st to start construction.
