Lake Isabella: Isabella and Kernville

Lake Isabella is a reservoir in Kern County, California created by the earthen Isabella Dam. It was formed in 1953 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dammed the Kern River at the junction of its two forks at Whiskey Flat. At 11,000 acres, it is one of the larger reservoirs in California.  Lake Isabella is located about 40 miles northeast of Bakersfield, and is the main water supply for that city. The former towns of Isabella and Kernville were flooded by the newly created reservoir.   Wikipedia

Unfortunately there are no photos available online.  If you happen to have any photos or stories you would like to share on this site, please send us an email at info(at)moderndayruins.com or post in the comments below.

Video

In low level lake years, these towns like to show themselves.  Such was the case in 2004 when the ghost town of Kernville, including an old bridge, and the foundations of the schoolhouse and church emerged.

There is a video though!  In 2009 the water levels were low.  Some of Old Kernville can be seen in this amateur video:

The ruins can been seen between 1:50 and 3:30.

Links

• Construction of the Isabella Reservoir

• Old Kernville

News Articles

• The Ghost of a Town Emerges From the Past Los Angeles Times. October 24, 2004.

• California Drought Brings Past Into Focus Chicago Tribune. January 13, 1991.

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