Major Flood
20 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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This is an NWS forecast point (LID: KRVC1). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
17 ft
Minor Flood
13.5 ft
Action Stage
12.5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
13.5 ft
Kern River adjacent to Riverside Park begins to escape its banks, flooding the lower park sidewalk. This is Preliminary Flood Stage.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 9, 2023 | 17.77 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
KRVC1
River
Kern River
County
Kern, CA
Coordinates
35.7544°N, 118.4233°W
Get Flood Alerts for Kern River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Kern River at Kernville?
The Kern River at Kernville gauge is maintained by USGS and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Kern River at Kernville?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Kern River at Kernville is 13.5 feet. Action stage begins at 12.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 17 feet, and major flooding at 20 feet.
How do I get alerts when Kern River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Kern River at Kernville to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Kern River at Kernville gauge located?
The gauge is located in Kern County, California at coordinates 35.7544°N, 118.4233°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Army Corps of Engineers, Observations courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Due to a gage move, all flood stages/categories will change at this location effective effective October 29, 2025 -- see <a href='https://partnerservices.nws.noaa.gov/products/cache/274-2025/PNSILN/7b460651c2573ce569ce415ca629a6b7'>HERE</a> for details.
- NEW! Click <a href='https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8d12656d99224ac4b599fb270f4d199f/page/Richmond-Westham'>Here</a> for Flood Inundation Maps for Richmond-Westham.