From USACE, Sacramento District – The saw-toothed Labyrinth Weir is more than 75% complete, with the new emergency spillway about 65% complete. The Main Dam is about 40% done and the Auxiliary Dam is nearing 90%. All Phase II construction is expected to be finished next year! Isabella Reservoir is located forty miles northeast of Bakersfield, Kern County, California, and consists of an earthfill main dam and auxiliary dam across Kern River and Hot Springs Valley, respectively. The dam was authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1944 and construction was completed in 1953. The reservoir provides flood-risk management, irrigation and recreational benefits. With more than 300,000 people living and working below the dams, primarily in the town of Lake Isabella and the city of Bakersfield, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a dam safety modification study in 2006 to address seismic, hydrologic (potential over-topping during an extreme flood event) and seepage issues at the dams. (more)