Kern Diversion is a concrete dam located in Kern County, California, built in 1906. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 29 ft29 ft tall and 203 ft long, taller than 65% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Kern Diversion
The primary purpose of Kern Diversion is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Southern California Edison Company (private). It impounds the Kern River near Bakersfield.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 203 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 27 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 247 acre-feet. Completed in 1906, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 09/22/2022.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Kern |
| Nearest City | Bakersfield |
| River/Stream | Kern River |
| Coordinates | 35.52540, -118.67490 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Length | 203.5 ft |
| Year Completed | 1906 (120 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 247 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 247 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 135 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 27 acres |
| Max Discharge | 6,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Southern California Edison Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/22/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00429 |
| Federal ID | CA00429 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |