Bakersfield Department of Water Resources
| Company type | Municipal utility |
|---|---|
| Industry | Water supply and management |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Headquarters | Bakersfield , United States |
Area served | Bakersfield, California (mainly Southwest and parts of Northwest) |
| Products | Water distribution and management |
| Website | www |
The Bakersfield Department of Water Resources functions as a municipal utility serving the city of Bakersfield, California. It administers the city's Kern River water entitlements, delivering water to contracted retail providers and recharge basins that help maintain groundwater reserves. Its water distribution responsibilities focus mainly on Southwest Bakersfield and sections of Northwest Bakersfield.
Early history
Agricultural expansion in Kern County commenced during the 1860s, with irrigation water sourced directly from the Kern River. The construction of upstream canals, particularly the Calloway Canal completed in 1879, diminished water availability downstream and led to a significant legal conflict—Lux vs Haggin—between downstream stakeholders Henry Miller/Charles Lux and upstream proprietors James Haggin/Lloyd Tevis. This pivotal case defined water rights still applicable to Kern River usage today and shaped water law across the Western United States.
The court decision established two key measurement locations: the First Point above Gordon's Ferry (currently within Northeast Bakersfield) and the Second Point near Enos Lane (close to Interstate 5). Based on average seasonal flows, one-third of the water passing the First Point must continue beyond the Second Point, with the remainder allocated to upstream users.
By 1890, Haggin’s canals were consolidated into the Kern County Canal & Water Company (K.C.C.&W.Co.), which by 1906 became part of the Kern County Land Company, overseeing agricultural water interests regionally. In 1967, Tenneco West acquired Kern County Land Company, marking the first time these water rights were owned by an external entity.
City Acquisition
Prior to the 1960s, Bakersfield did not possess a municipal water utility and primarily depended on plentiful groundwater supplies. However, by the mid-1960s, groundwater wells operated by California Water Service Company were becoming depleted and required deepening, revealing a growing shortfall as demand outpaced natural recharge.
A 1967 municipal study identified two primary challenges: concrete-lined canals restricted groundwater recharge capacity, and urban expansion diverted irrigation water away from nearby farmland toward more distant agricultural areas. Concurrently, Tenneco West—holder of Kern River water rights—was approached by other companies and Southern California water agencies interested in purchasing these rights. Concerned about losing control over its water resources as had happened in Owens Valley following Los Angeles’ acquisition of local rights, Bakersfield aimed to secure its own supply.
When initial negotiations with Tenneco West stalled, the city partnered with local agricultural districts to pursue a court decree affirming Kern River and groundwater rights. To safeguard its interests, Bakersfield also condemned 77,000 acre-feet of Kern River water. Litigation was ultimately avoided when Tenneco West agreed to negotiate a settlement.
In 1973, Tenneco West sold its Kern River water entitlements—approximately one-third of the flow at the First Point of Measurement—along with associated land and infrastructure assets to Bakersfield for $18 million. After voter approval of bond financing in 1976, this transaction enabled the establishment of the Bakersfield Department of Water Resources and led to creation of the Kern River Parkway, now recognized as the city’s largest urban park.
Public Ownership
Following the acquisition, a significant portion of the Kern River infrastructure was in poor condition—numerous weirs were failing, and important measurement sites had been damaged or lost. Starting in 1977, the city initiated an extensive reconstruction effort that involved rebuilding weirs, repairing canal floodgates, and restoring the critical measurement locations. In addition, a water bank spanning 2,800 acres was created. These projects were finalized by 1985, greatly improving Bakersfield’s capacity for water management.
Service Area
The Department of Water Resources maintains contracts to deliver water to five agricultural water districts and provides service to customers throughout much of Southwest Bakersfield as well as sections of Northwest Bakersfield.