Gauge Description:

Releases from Isabella reservoir are totally controlled by the Kern River Water Master and the Army Corp of Engineers.  Flows are used for irrigation in the San Joaquin Valley through out the spring, summer and sometimes into fall.   Irrigation needs change primarily by season, but also somewhat day to day.  Flow records show that releases are often adjusted once a day.  In recent years, weekend flows have sometimes been significantly lower than weekday flows. 

Releases can come directly from the main dam and from the Borel powerhouse upstream of the put in.  Borel does not control the flow but can only utilize the water that is released by the Water Master.   Borel does not  pulse the flows as is typical on many other rivers.  This is because there is no reservoir downstream which could re regulate the flows to a pattern suitable for irrigation needs.  

The graph above sometimes shows sudden spikes or drops in flow with an equally sudden return to the previous flow.   It is not clear if these are actual flow changes or gauge errors. 

Flow data is provided by the Army Corp of Engineers, at Isabella info