Whitewater rafters portaged a boat for 16 miles beside the Kern River, protesting the removal of water for a hydropower plant. The facility's license is up for renewal.

Whitewater rafters portaged a boat for 16 miles beside the Kern River, protesting the removal of water for a hydropower plant. The facility's license is up for renewal.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office is set to update the Kern River deaths sign this Friday, reflecting the tragic loss of eight more lives over the past year.

“No,” Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said, flatly. “The river is a public place and there’s way too many access points for us to patrol. “You can’t legislate stupidity.

The Kern River is a major source of revenue for this mountain community. Daneya Williams, general manager at Whitewater Voyages, tells me the rafting companies bring in about $1 million per year.

BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT: The Kern River Valley is getting some aid and relief from the county in response to the power shutoffs. I'm Steve Virgen, your neighborhood reporter.

With a healthy snowpack in the Sierras, the Kern River above Isabella Lake is running full and local businesses can take you for as much or as little adventure as you can handle. "Forty-five ...