Corps to review progress on Isabella Lake Dam project at public meetings

Published Nov. 12, 2014
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District will host two public information meetings Nov. 21 to provide an update on the Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project.

The purpose of the meetings is to provide an information forum and review of current progress on the project, including next steps in the schedule and ongoing environmental assessments. There will not be a formal comment period during these meetings as they are intended to provide an update on the progress of the project.

Additional meetings are planned in 2015 focused on recreation, office relocations for the Corps and U.S. Forest Service and highway relocation, which will include formal public review and comment periods when environmental assessments are released.


Public Meeting Locations

        Kernville                                                                         Lake Isabella
        Nov. 21, 2014                                                                  Nov. 21, 2014
        9 a.m. - 11 a.m.                                                               6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
        Kernville Chamber of Commerce                                    Kern River Valley Veterans/Senior Center
        Community Room                                                           Veterans Room 1
        11447 Kernville Rd                                                          6405 Lake Isabella Blvd.
        Kernville, CA 93238                                                        Lake Isabella, CA 93240



The public and media are encouraged to contact the district's public affairs office with additional questions at 916-557-5100 or spk-pao@usace.army.mil  

Completed in 1953, Isabella Lake Dam is located approximately 42 miles northeast of Bakersfield. The reservoir is impounded by two earthen dams on the Kern River and Hot Springs Valley. Today, Isabella Lake and its dams help reduce flood risk for Bakersfield and the surrounding region, and are a primary water source for water users throughout Kern County. The Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project looks to address overtopping, seismic and seepage issues identified with Isabella Lake’s main and auxiliary dams to reduce the likelihood of dam failure. In 2013, the Corps entered the pre-construction engineering and design phase of the project. Relocation of State Highway 178, Lake Isabella Boulevard and other relocation construction work is scheduled to begin in 2016. Construction of the dam modifications is scheduled to begin in 2017.

For more on the Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project visit: http://bit.ly/IsabellaDam  


Contact
John Prettyman
916-557-5100
spk-pao@usace.army.mil

Release no. 14-079