Kern River Flood Plain Area

Along this section of the Kern River, which here is intermittent, are representative stands of two of the plant communities that once were extensive on the Kern River flood plain.

Along the channels of the river is a riparian community with cottonwood, Populus fremontii, black willow, Salix gooddingii, Indian rush, Juncus textilis, and buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis var. californicus. The rare Cirsium crassicaule is found here.

On the higher areas there is a valley brushland community with mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa ssp. torreyana, Atriplex argentea ssp. expansa, and Verbena bracteata.

A variety of animals is found in the area, including the rare San Joaquin kit fox, Vulpes macrotis mutica, and the blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Crotaphytus wislizenii silus.

This area was a part of the main channel of the Kern River that flowed into Buena Vista Lake.

Integrity: The area is diked, crossed by roads and bordered, in portions, by agricultural lands; still it retains some of its natural characteristics.

Use: Research, educational, observational.

May 1977