Isabella Dam
Introduction
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Isabella Dam is an earthen dam located just downstream from where the North and South forks of the Kern River meet. It is one of several projects authorized in the Flood Control Act of 1944, and was completed in March 1953 by the Army Corps of Engineers. It serves the Kern River watershed by providing flood control, water conservation for irrigation, and recreational opportunities. The towns of Isabella and Kernville had to be relocated to accommodate the project. In 2007, the Corps of Engineers cited seepage and seismic concerns when it named the dam a high risk for failure, necessitating repair and rehabilitation of the works, which are scheduled to begin in 2017.