Our Story and Mission

The mission of the Water Association of Kern County is to inform and educate the public and water community about water issues in Kern County.

Formed in 1955, the Water Association of Kern County was originally designed to educate the citizens of Kern County about the need for the construction of the State Water Project (California Aqueduct). The organization’s goal was to keep the public well informed about activities and issues related to water and on the continuing need for a reliable water supply to Kern County.

Over the years, the WAKC evolved to include outreach and activities that provided information about many water topics including: federal, state and local water projects; water quality; legislation and regulations; his torical water agreements; water supply; endangered species;’ the Kern River; water banking; conservation; water development and many other water-related topics. The WAKC has frequently utilized radio and television to convey messages.

Additionally, the WAKC publishes an online direc tory of local water districts, officials and other related organizations. Visit Who’s Who on the side menu to access the direc tory.

Water Fact

Friant Dam and Miller ton Lake (520,500-acre-foot capacity), were completed in 1942, on the San Joaquin River northeast of Fresno. The Friant-Kern Canal, was completed in 1949, running 152 miles from Friant to the Kern River in Bakersfield.

Join the Water Association of Kern County

Help support education, outreach and information about water issues in Kern County.

The Water Association of Kern County is embarking upon a new, stronger effort to educate the general public about water issues that effect Kern County. A newly designed website, videos, Facebook and Twitter are all methods that will be used as a way of reaching the public. Messages will be simple and clear and provide many sources of information about water so that citizens  and policy makers can become informed and be better decision makers. Learn More ▸

High-Flow Members

River Run Members