Authorities blame high water flow in Kern River for Highway 178 crack

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CHP officials said high volume water flow from the Kern River was the cause of the crack. | Caltrans District 6/Facebook

What started as a 7-8 foot crack in the roadway off Highway 178 over Memorial Day weekend could become a major headache for tourist activity in the Kern River Valley.

The crack, which closed the highway, occurred in the middle of the Lake Isabella Fishing Derby.

Fred Clark, chairman of the fishing tournament, told the Kern Valley Sun that the road closure could have a significant impact on tourism.

“With Sierra Way closed, [Highway] With 178 affected and the river closed in Tulare County, businesses in the Kern River Valley that depend on tourism dollars will be greatly affected if things do not improve in the near future,” Clark said.

In its Facebook post, Caltrans Central Valley District 6 discouraged trips to Lake Isabella.

Kernville Chamber Speaker Orion Sanders agreed little impact had been seen so far, but warned that could change.

“It just happened, so it’s hard to say,” he said. It’s only been a few days. I think the high river level has already slowed it down, but that’s not because of the road. The people were already there. [for Memorial Day weekend] when the road had its problem.”

If the crack develops, CHP said in its incident report, the vehicles could begin to fall or have their tires snagged.

KGET reported that shortly after the crack was detected, river water flow was observed at 7,300 cubic feet per minute. Inflows and outflows were higher in May compared to March and April numbers, according to the Kern County Flood Dashboard.

The CHP said officials had not determined when the causeway would reopen, but suggested a detour.

“Detour from Bakersfield: SR-58 east to SR-14 north to SR-178. Detour from Lake Isabella: SR-178 east to SR-14 south to SR-58,” CHP wrote in a post. on Facebook.

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