BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The City of Bakersfield water department announced water back will be back in the Kern River in Bakersfield for this summer. This comes as years of a dry river has been prominent in the city.

Today, the Kern River is bone dry, but that could change, according to Bakersfield’s water department.

“It’s been a fortunate year, we anticipate running the river beginning on May 1, 2026 and lasting at least six weeks,” said Daniel Maldonado, the Assistant Water Director at the city’s water resources.

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At least six weeks, but it could last five months according city water officials.

Why has this year been fortunate? Snowpack.

The snow-capped mountains surrounding our valley had snow melt, allowing the city additional river water.

“Most of California it’s pretty dismal the snowpack however we’ve been fortunate on the Kern river our snow basin is average,” said Maldonado.

As the snow melts, water rushes down the mountain and fills the Kern River, but it gets diverted to farms just past Hart Park. This will be the first time water has been in the river in town for so long.

“The water flowing down the river it’s a sight to see, you can see it in different areas driving through town,” said Maldonado.

Environmentalists are happy too, but the fight to bring back the Kern River and to keep the flow alive is still ongoing.

RELATED: ‘Bring Back The Kern’ lawsuit heads to California Supreme Court

“It’s great because you see all the wildlife really emerges with the water. A lot of birds,” said Kelly Damian, an organizer with Bring Back The Kern.

Will it be enough water to actually see a flow, will people be able to swim?

“I would assume there would be enough water maybe for people to go wade or walk next to the river. I mean as far as swimming that’s probably not very feasible at this point,” said Damian.

A legal fight brought by pro-flow plaintiffs against multiple water districts is sitting in the California Supreme Court. So far, no water yet, as the lawsuit has hit its fourth year in the courts.

“It’s a really long process, so it’s gonna take a really long time,” said Damian.

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