Kern River lives lost sign updated to 342 during annual update
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The sign at the mouth of the canyon on Highway 178, east of Bakersfield, was updated Friday morning to show the dangers of the Kern River.
If you aren't familiar with the sign, it shows how many were killed in the Kern River since officials began keeping track in 1968. On Friday, that number changed to 342 to remind visitors of the lives lost to the beautiful, but deadly, Kern River over the past 12 months.
This update comes just before Memorial Day Weekend, the unofficial start of summer, as school is out and families begin planning trips. Even some out-of-towners may prepare to travel to Bakersfield to enjoy our river.
Kern Public Health hosts water safety press conference ahead of swimming season
The Kern County Sheriff's Office is also urging a new message this year.
'It's such a vast river, it's such vast land. We have tried for years to tell that message, 'Stay Out, Stay Alive, Stay Out, Stay Alive,' every year. As you can tell, this year the message is shifting a little bit, it's like, 'Alright, you're not going to stay out, so the least you can do is take the proper precautions,' said Lori Meza, Public Information Officer with KCSO. 'We're collaborating with Kern Fire, Kern River Conservancy and with other agencies to get this message out, to tell you, 'OK, if you're going to get in, these are things you can do to be safe.''
The river has earned the moniker 'Killer Kern' for the amount of lives it has taken.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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