Lake Isabella

Currently available only to 60%

The Lake Isabella is a reservoir located in Kern County of the U.S. state of California. In him unite comes from the north main branch of the Kern River, also known as the North Fork Kern River, coming from the east and the South Fork Kern River. The Kern River drains the lake to the west behind a dam, established in 1953, the Isabella Dam. The lake is around 45 square kilometers. Mainly used the waters for water supply of the nearby town of Bakersfield and other surrounding settlements, with the Lake Isabella is also the aim of moderate tourist revenue. Hotels and campsites are available in the area.

The climate of the region is often marked by extremes of their respective seasons. The reason for this is the location in the mountains far off the California coast, making the balancing effect of the sea is missing. In the summer a temperature of slightly more than 40 degrees C can be achieved, while in the winter and snow occurs and the temperature drops below the freezing point.

The actual volume of the lake covers only about 60 percent of its total capacity, because studies have come to the conclusion that at too high a water level a certain instability of the dam occurs. In addition, the lake is located on a fault, which also earthquake hazard. This rejection, however, was considered before the construction of the dam as inactive.

In March 2013, the public was presented a project to stabilize the dam, so as to provide a higher security for the surrounding region. The now also officially approved plan provides, among other things, an increase in the dam before, as well as additional areas for flooding at high tide. Completion is scheduled for fall 2018, is taking as construction costs in the amount of about 400 to 600 million U.S. dollars. Construction is scheduled to take place official plans result in the fall of 2014.

Gallery

The shore area

The lake in January

The Isabella Dam