An appeals court on Thursday will hear arguments on Kern River water diversions, which have killed thousands of fish and drained the once flowing waterway in Bakersfield. The 5th District Court of Appeals will consider whether to uphold a preliminary injunction sought by a coalition of environmental groups to stop the city of Bakersfield and agricultural water storage districts from diversions that significantly reduce river flow. … (A)n appeals court issued a stay on the injunction, after agricultural water districts appealed. In October state Attorney General Rob Bonta intervened in the lawsuit, siding with environmentalists in challenging the diversions. Thursday’s hearing will determine whether to restore the injunction and allow Kern River water to flow once again.