Bakersfield residents gathered on Saturday, March 15, to participate in the March for the River, an event aimed at raising awareness about water diversion issues affecting the Kern River. Organized by Bring Back the Kern, the event highlighted the ongoing struggle to restore consistent water flow through Bakersfield and the Kern River Parkway.
Johnny, a representative from Bring Back the Kern, addressed the crowd before the march began. “The Kern River is a shared resource that connects us as residents of Bakersfield, of California, or wherever you’re from,” he said. “It’s an amazing river, but we have a problem—most years, its water is diverted into canals, leaving the riverbed dry through much of the city.”
The march came at a critical time, as an upcoming appeals hearing in Fresno on Thursday, March 20, could have a significant impact on the future of the river’s water flow. Brian Wilson, an attorney working on the case, was present at the event, representing a coalition of organizations, including the Kern Audubon Society, Sierra Club, and the Center for Biological Diversity. The coalition is advocating for legal action to secure water rights that would allow for a year-round flow in the Kern River.
Participants embarked on a 10 mile march along the dry riverbed. A symbolic act was also incorporated into the event: marchers were encouraged to carry small bottles of Kern River water from one of the few areas where water still flows, transporting it downstream to highlight the need for restoration efforts.
“If you have an empty bottle, fill it up,” Johnny urged the crowd. “Carry that water to where it’s supposed to be.”
Organizers encouraged attendees to spread the word, inviting friends and family to join, emphasizing the importance of public support in influencing local policy.
With legal battles underway and public awareness growing, activists hope that the March for the River will be a turning point in the fight to restore the natural course of the Kern River.
Bakersfield College student Melissa Arrojo shares that she learned of the march through her professor Leah Carter, who invited the class to participate.
“The river brings life to Kern County, it brings positivity to our city, so hopefully we can get the water back that way everyone can be back here again” said Arrojo.
Vicky Macon, who has been living in Bakersfield since 1999 told Kern Sol News that sheattended the march because, “I love the river. I live by the river and when it’s dry and bone dry, all the animals and all the fish disappear. When the water is here, it’s flowing, it brings coolness. It brings the outdoors back to us.”
Macon also shares that her husband, a wildlife photographer, has been able to capture photos of badgers, bobcats, owls, and eagles along the Kern River.
Leah Carter, member of Bring Back the Kern who walked the 10 miles, also shared the reason she attended the march.
“I’m here marching for the Kern River, in support of having our people’s water flowing through the Kern River in Bakersfield. Right now we have a dry river bed, it’s very sad and depressing to see a long stretch of land that’s supposed to be flourishing with water, wildlife, plants, and native birds and only sand to show,” Carter said. “I hope we can make a change and give the people back their water in Bakersfield, improve the quality of life, improve the mental health of people, and to give Bakersfield something to be proud of.”
Cal State Bakersfield graduate student Jarred Sheppard explained the importance of being involved and participating in these events.
“The more active people are, the more cognizant and aware of what’s going on. If you just let things continue going to where they’re going, nothing’s ever going to change,” said Sheppard. “It’s named the Kern River but we never see it running, it’s ridiculous.”
