Environmental impact report released on Isabella Dam

The Lake Isabella Dam is leaking, sits on an active earthquake fault, and tops the Federal Government's list of dams in need of repair. The US Army Corps of Engineers has released the final environmental impact statement on its plan to strengthen and expand the dam.

The 600 page document is now up for public review and comment.  In it, the corps analyzes a wide variety of issues such as seepage, seismic risks and the need to raise the height of the dam to contain water from what's described as a maximum probability flood event.

The corps also lays out plans to minimize impacts from construction.

The document is available for public review at the Beale Memorial and Southwest library branches in Bakersfield, and at U.S. Forest Service Offices in Lake Isabella and Kernville.

You can also click here to review the document online.

The Corps will host three public meetings to discuss the FEIS and solicit comments.

Kernville
Tuesday, Nov. 13
6-9 p.m.
Odd Fellows Hall
50 Tobias St.

Lake Isabella
Wednesday, Nov. 14
6-9 p.m.
Kern River Valley Senior Center
6405 Lake Isabella Blvd.

Bakersfield
Wednesday, Nov. 15
6-9 p.m.
Rabobank Convention Center, Potato Room
1001 Truxtun Ave.