Gov. Newsom signs executive order to extend Valley flood response
With warmer weeks ahead and snowmelt in the High Sierra, Kings County officials say diverting a major river is a big deal.
KINGS COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Wednesday to boost and extend the emergency actions for flooding in the Central Valley.
The order will allow for more floodwater diversion, levee repairs, and other flood response and preparation in the Central Valley.
Some of the emergency actions include directing water from the Kern River to the California Aqueduct and reducing the amount of water flowing into the Tulare Lake Basin.
Several waterways in the Central Valley, including the Kern River, end up at the basin
Mark Mulkay is with the Water Association of Kern County, he says the emergency action will allow them to shift water from the Kern River and into the California Aqueduct, avoiding the Tulare Lake Basin.
"After the 1969 flood that occurred, this facility was constructed just to do this, to help reduce flooding in Tulare Lake and to keep pressure off communities like Corcoran and Strafford and the agricultural land as much as possible," said Mulkay.
With warmer weeks ahead and snowmelt in the High Sierra, Kings County officials say diverting a major river is a big deal.
"Any water that can be moved to a different area and out of our flood zone is a huge win," said Kings County Sheriff's Sgt. Nate Ferrier.
Corcoran resident, Curt Rowe, says it's been a relief to see city, county, and state officials take steps that could protect them from potential flooding.
"Now, they've got an extreme flow so that is working as planned. The intertie is flowing into the aqueduct and that is a really good thing," said Rowe.
Mulkay says the goal is to begin shifting the river flow this weekend.
"We will probably start with right about 500 cfs to get the system up and running and make sure everything is leveled off and working properly."
Mulkay says once water from the Kern River is inside the California Aqueduct, it's up to the state to decide how they will use the water.
For news updates, follow Elisa Navarro on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
