Kern, California, US

3) Johnsondale Bridge to Powerhouse #3

Upper Salmon Falls, NF Kern

Upper Salmon Falls, NF Kern
Photo of Macy Burnham by Ian Buckley taken 05/26/08 @ 1200

Gauge Information

River Description

There is a wide variety of excellent whitewater below Johnsondale bridge.   Some of it easily rivals the forks in quality and difficulty, but with near roadside access.   The forks beats this area for scenery but not by a lot, and when you are staring at the next horizon line, who needs scenery!     The river is commonly considered as several distinct sections, especially since Fairview dam forces a portage and then diverts up to 600 cfs of the flow from the river. 


Permits are Required by Sequoia National Forest year round. There is no limit on the number of private boaters allowed on the river in this section, but only 18 people are allowed per group.  Boaters must sign in and pick up a permit at one of several forest service offices.  River Permit information


Getting There: Johnsondale Bridge is about 25 minutes north of Kernville and about one hour and 40 minutes from Bakersfield. If coming from the north it is faster to turn off of highway 99 at Earlimart to go through Ducor and California Hot Springs. Allow about one hour and 20 minutes from Earlimart. Sometimes people drive through Springville and up through the Tule River Canyon, but this is a slow drive due to the narrow, windy road. Allow an hour and a half just from Springville, not counting stops for gawking at the Tule canyon.

Put in: Johnsondale bridge.   There is a large parking area on the west side of the bridge (river right).  google map.

Other Information Sources:
http://www.sierrasouth.com/conservation.htm#KR3
Camping
Wikipedia
Kern River Festival
Kern River Alliance
Kern Valley River Council
Audubon, Kern River Preserve
Wild and Scenic Kern
Sequoia National Forest Kernville office phone # 760-376-3781
Sierra South store
Cacreeks.com

FERC license info:
Search for FERC documents related to Kern River No. 3 Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2290, at http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/search/fercgensearch.asp
In the Docket Number box, write P-2290-*  to do a wild card search.   

Cassady & Calhoun, Holbek & Stanley, Martin, Alan Baty