Lake Isabella is located about 40 miles (64 km) northeast of Bakersfield, and is the main water supply for that city.

[4] The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did not let the water get above 63% of capacity until an estimated 10–15 years of studies and repairs were made.

The Isabella Dam bisects an active fault that could lead to a catastrophic failure if an earthquake occurs along it.

[4] On February 3, 2023, the Army Corps of Engineers requested a deviation from the operating pool restriction of 361,000 acre-feet (445,000 dam3) of water.

If approved, Lake Isabella will be allowed to fill to its full capacity of 568,000 acre-feet (701,000 dam3) for the first time in nearly 15 years.