Another big hitter in California rivers has waded into the ongoing Kern River legal battle. California Trout, a conservation group dedicated to healthy rivers, filed a brief with the 5th District Court of Appeal asking justices to reinstate an injunction that had required enough water be kept in the river for fish to survive. CalTrout has been watching the Kern River case closely, said attorney Walter Collins. “First, the Kern is a really important river in California,” Collins said. “And our interest in this case surrounds (California) Fish and Game Code 5937. It is a central pillar of protection in California for rivers and species. Any time it’s under threat, CalTrout will be there to protect its legacy.” Fish and Game Code 5937 states dam owners must put enough water downstream to keep fish in good condition. It was the linchpin in restoring other rivers, including the San Joaquin in Fresno County and was the underpinning of the injunction on the Kern River.