Last Friday, the US Army Corps of Engineers opened two dams in Central California, letting a whopping 2.2 billion gallons of water flow out of reservoirs. This move came after former President Donald Trump ordered the release in an attempt to send water to drought-stricken Southern California. Trump took to social media, claiming the water was “flowing” and would benefit farmers and Los Angeles.
But here’s the catch: water experts say the plan has two big flaws. First, the released water won’t actually make it to Los Angeles. Instead, it’s being dumped into the dry Tulare Lake bed, far from the intended destination. Second, the timing couldn’t be worse. By releasing water during the already wet winter season, California risks not having enough stored for the hot, dry summer months when it’s needed most.
Heather Cooley, a water policy expert, explained that the reservoirs were holding extra water precisely to prepare for a potentially dry summer. “This puts agriculture at risk of insufficient water in the coming months,” she said.
Local water districts confirmed that the water was used for limited irrigation and groundwater recharge, but Cooley stressed that the release offers “zero benefit” and could worsen water shortages for farmers.
Adding to the confusion, there was little coordination between federal officials and California’s state and local water managers. Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources, noted that the state was left out of the decision-making process.
While Los Angeles gets its water from state reservoirs and the Colorado River, the water released from Lake Kaweah and Lake Success flows into the Central Valley, a major agricultural hub. This area relies heavily on stored water for crop irrigation, making the release particularly concerning for farmers.
The US Army Corps of Engineers and the White House have yet to comment on the situation. Meanwhile, Californians are left wondering how this massive water release will impact their summer water supply.