Brittay Lallo
Special to the Sun

The Lake Isabella area has recently endured an unexpected and devastating disaster.

We all gaped in awed-disbelief as the blackened torrent tore through the Erskine Creek bed, across Lake Isabella Boulevard and into the lower Kern. No homes were lost or damaged. The lower Kern, being the draining route of the torrential flood and mud flow, will not recover from this quickly.

Driving down the canyon Saturday was a sad sight indeed. The water was swelled and black. So contaminated with fire debris that it stained the rocks it splashed over.

The putrid smell of a trash fire emanated from the water. How could any creature survive in that muck? Only time will tell how this disaster will affect the rivers diverse aquatic life.

On July 12, Mt. Whitney also endured great devastation from flooding. This is an example for us of the affects of flash flood and mud flow on aquatic life.

The flood of debris, triggered by a sudden storm, destroyed 25 homes. No injuries were reported, unless you count the thousands of fish that were destroyed when the raging flood waters obliterated the Mt. Whitney hatchery spawning houses and wiped out the entire stock.

This was disastrous since this brood stock has been nurtured since 1916. At least 3,000 three-year-old, four to five-pound fish were buried by the debris and choked as the muddy water destroyed the clean water supply. As the sole source of golden trout eggs in the state, this tragedy will certainly affect the condition of the Kern fisheries.

More information as to how this disaster is affecting the Kern fisheries will be in next week's fishing tales report.