KERNVILLE, CA – It started like a typical whitewater rafting trip in North Fork on the Caen River. The boat ran through the rapids, passed rocks, smashing waves and crashing.
However, a few miles later, as they approached the dam, the group drifted into the bank, lifting blue rafts out of the water and embarking on an eight-hour journey on land.
Their plan: to make an unusual protest by carrying a 16-mile raft on foot next to the area of the passing river if the dam takes most of the water and rerouts it far downstream.
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“That 16-mile river cannot be run on a boat,” said Jonathan Yates, an avid kayaker who organized the protest. “The river doesn’t have enough water.”
When six sailors departed next to Fairview Dam in late June, about three-quarters of the river had been decoupled by a tunnel, passing along a steep canyon through a pipeline that meandered into the Caan River No. 3 hydroelectric power plant in Southern California.
Tubers enjoy the Upper Kern River on a summer night in Kernville, California.
Water is poured over the Fairview Dam. Here, the flow flows from the Khan River due to water power.
As the used water spins the turbine and generates electricity, a portion of the river between the dam and the power plant is often reduced to shallow streams between the rocks.
Yates and other whitewater enthusiasts are leaving more water in the river, demanding changes in hydroelectric power plants’ work, including those who run rafting businesses. They are calling for measures to ensure boat flow as Edison is about to renew the hydroelectric power plant license from the Federal Energy Regulation Commission.
Here, Jonathan Yates, reflected in the exhibition, is an avid kayaker who organized the protest.
Yates said he came up with the idea of a marathon portage to raise awareness about the water shortage in this area of the river, and invited several friends and acquaintances to join him.
“Usually it’s just a quick, waterfall or something that you don’t pass through very small sections of the river,” he said. “But we wanted to do that to create the point.”
The group threw a strap on their shoulder to support a raft weighing about 100 pounds. They said pulling the boat would make a difficult throw, but they were ready to sacrifice for a cause.
“We are willing to experience the discomfort and pain of the long Portage to convey the importance of the River Khan and how much we care about it,” Yates said, “and we want to see the change in the status quo.”
The power plant just outside the town of Kernville, one of two hydroelectric facilities operated by River Edison, was built in 1921 and its current federal license expires in November 2026.
The Federal Commission’s decision on the new licensing will set rules on water detours and determine whether there are requirements to support boating and fishing to maintain large flow in the river. If the committee sets new conditions to boost boost flow, the popular Rapids on the Kern River can be opened for longer each year, benefiting sailors and white water rafting businesses.
Julianne Finch (left) and Kate Adamson (right) look at the map before going for whitewater rafting at the top of the Khan River.
Omar Ramirez leaves the van before embarking on an eight-hour journey carrying a raft beside the River Khan.
The manager at Edison in Southern California understands the importance of maintaining recreational uses on the river, and says the company is taking in community input through the regeneration process.
“Our goal is to secure accounts for the retention of natural habitat and recreational resources,” said Edison spokesman Jeff Monford, “to balance useful uses, including hydroelectric power, and to comply with regulatory requirements and operational agreements.”
Snowmelt is supplied to southern Sierra Nevada, Khan is a boat and mass fishing mecca that attracts visitors from nearby Southern California cities and tourists from around the world. Part of the river affected by plant detours is one of the various sections of the khan, popular for rafting and kayaking.
A group of rafters descends the Khan River, beneath Lake Isabella.
About a month ago, rafters and kayakers were jumping over popular Rapids here under names like Black Bottom Falls, Crushed Padlers, Fender Benders and more. However, as power plant detours occupied most of the Khan’s descent in late June, river levels have dropped to the point where boats can no longer navigate the rocks, as often happens.
Chris Brown, co-owner of Rafting Business Whitewater Voyages, looked over the bouldered section of the stream that he had been rafting a month ago.
“This is very rapid,” Brown said. “Most years, this will be something you can’t afford, and that’s just a shame because it’s definitely a lot down the world class.”
Last month, rafters paddled through the Rapids on the Upper Khan River.
The North Fork in Kern is a federally designated wild and scenic river. Brown said having more water in this part of the river would help the local economy and expand recreational opportunities in Southern California.
Brown provided a raft for the group’s protest and continued in the van, but followed by another vehicle with flashing emergency lights. As the car passed, some people paid tribute, waving and giving thumbs out the window.
“These people do incredible physical feats to show how valuable this resource is to them,” Brown said.
James Boster, a part-time river guide who helped carry the raft, said when there was enough water, he was only passing through the place that forms one of his favorite rapids.
“There’s this smooth, glassy tongue, this absolutely gorgeous waterfall,” Boster said. “I’m excited to be part of this and store that water in a natural, intended watershed.”
The boat transports the raft to the launch point above the Karn River.
As Mile wore it and the temperature approached 100 degrees, the six-man raft carriers remained almost hilarious, joking about the imminent pain and how it would improve if the raft was filled with helium.
They played music on speakers and listened to AC/DC, Green Day and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
“Misery loves the company. We’re going to keep our spirits up,” Yates said.
The group stopped for a break and sat at a picnic table in the shade of a willow tree.
Bakersfield financial advisor Julian Finch wrapped a bandage around her feet.
Omar Ramirez, also from Bakersfield, said he admired the river pool he was swimming in.
Several people wet their shirts in the river and then put them back in place. They pioneered the rafts to continue their journey.
“I’ve reached that point, I’m trying to endure it,” Juan Vargas said as he dropped Mountain Highway 99.
Six sailors carry the raft near Fairview Dam and set out to the 16-mile portage to protest water detours, rendering stretches of the Kern River that are often not available for white water rafting.
As they descended the river in Kernville, several residents said they were hoping for a change in license to ensure the river flows for boating and fishing.
“We’re not asking Edison to drop the dam and leave. We’re just asking them to raise the recreational flow that benefits our community.” “It benefits wildlife, fish and all those who use it for boating and fishing.”
Whether it’s kayak or kayak, Dan Ocampo, fly fishing guide and shop manager, said he wants to scientifically focus on improving the ecosystem conditions for the various types of trout that fish in California, the different types of trout that flock to the area for state fish.
“I wish there was more water for fishing,” Ocampo said. “We hope they implement more scientific approaches, where it’s a balance between water currents, water temperatures, and we know the ecosystem and balance and we know the better fisheries.”
Monford said Edison in Southern California is working with people in the community, including anglers, to develop conditions for ongoing operation of the factory, balancing the interests of all stakeholders.
Shop Manager and Fishing Guide Dan Ocampo is a map outside the Khan River Fly Shop in Karnville, pointing to fishing locations along the Khan River.
The map shows stretches of the Khan River.
The Kern River No. 3 Hydroectric Project has a production capacity of 40.2 megawatts, which is sufficient to supply around 48,000 homes.
Seafarers say that if water detours are significantly reduced, there could be whitewater rafting for up to two months of longer each year in this area of the river.
Some sailors suggest that the company could consider running the power plant at night and leaving water in the river during the day.
The Khan River No. 3 hydroelectric project is located along the Upper River on the Khan River just north of Khanville.
However, Monford said the plant and its production units were not designed for such a daily cycle. If such an approach is adopted, he said, “it will increase the wear of the equipment and increase the cost of operation, maintenance and repairs.”
Edison has conducted extensive research into boat needs and incorporates community input into his plan, Monford said.
“One of our research revealed that sailors want better predictability in addition to wider flow,” Monford said. “One way we’re working on this is to take projects offline on a more predictable schedule and recommend regulators to take maintenance halts for a 10-day fixed period that supports boating opportunities.”
After reaching the final stretch of the phone, the group passed the power plant, and the enormous pipeline descended onto the mountainside. They then marched towards the edge of the river, and speakers rocked the AC/DC “highway to hell.”
“I might not have any more feet,” Finch said as he stepped into the water.
Sweats and pain, so they finally put the rafts by the riverbank and took a photo. They broke open beer from the cooler.
Afterwards, several people jumped into the river.
Kate Adamson on the left and center Julian Finch cooled down on the Khan River after carrying a 16-mile raft over land in protest to leave more water in the river.
“This was probably the most insane thing I’ve ever done. 16 miles,” said Kate Adamson, a high school biology teacher. “I’m tanning. I’m thirsty. I don’t feel anything, but everything hurts at the same time. …I need an ice bath!”
Sitting in the boat trailer, Adamson said the pain was worth it, as he believes in what causes the river to prioritize more water.
“There’s this kind of protest. It shows people that you can advocate for changing your community by working hard on something, but people are stopping and trying to watch,” she said. “It was beautiful to be a part of it.”
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