Water Released from Dams on Trump’s Order Didn’t Help Farms or L.A.
A Surprise Move Leaves Farmers and Water Managers Perplexed
Days after President Trump startled some of his most ardent supporters in California’s San Joaquin Valley by having the Army Corps of Engineers suddenly release water from two dams, many in the region and beyond were still perplexed.
Unplanned Release Causes Confusion and Concern
Acting on an order from Washington, the corps allowed irrigation water to flow down river channels for three days, into the network of engineered waterways that fan out among farm fields in the San Joaquin Valley. Coursing from rivers to canals to irrigation ditches, much of the water eventually made its way to retention basins, where it soaked into the ground, replenishing groundwater.
Farmers and Water Managers Express Concerns
“It’s been recharged to the ground,” said Tom Barcellos, president of the Lower Tule River Irrigation District and a dairyman and farmer. That sounds good, except farmers in parts of the San Joaquin Valley typically depend on water from the two dams to irrigate crops in the summer. In other words, the release of water this time of year, when agriculture usually doesn’t require it, means that growers are likely to have less water stored in the reservoirs this summer, during a year that so far is among the area’s driest on record.
“It would have been better utilized if we could keep it there and use it this summer for irrigation,” Barcellos said. The loss of that water — equivalent to about two days of maximum water use during the summer irrigation season — amounted to “not a lot of harm, not a big foul,” he said.
Political Motives Questioned
The sudden, unplanned release of water from the dams has led to criticism from some residents, water managers, and members of Congress, who say the unusual discharge of water seems to have been intended to make a political statement — to demonstrate that Trump has the authority to order federal dams or pumps to send more water flowing as he directs.
“These kinds of shenanigans, they hurt smaller farmers,” said Dezaraye Bagalayos, a local water activist. Small growers have already been struggling, and the release of water from the dams means they will have less when they need it, Bagalayos said.
Experts Weigh In
Peter Gleick, a water scientist and senior fellow at the Pacific Institute, said that “for a political photo op and a social media post, the Trump administration has thrown away billions of gallons of California water.” He said the water will not reach any city, “not be used or usable for firefighting, not be used by farmers since this isn’t the irrigation season, and won’t be saved for the dry season, which is coming.”
“It was a needlessly self-destructive action purely for political showmanship,” Gleick said.
Conclusion
The unexpected release of water from the dams has left many in the San Joaquin Valley and beyond scratching their heads. While some have welcomed the move, others have expressed concerns about the potential impacts on agriculture and the region’s water supply. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the water released from the dams will not have the intended effect of alleviating the water crisis in Los Angeles.
FAQs
* What was the purpose of the sudden release of water from the dams?
The purpose is unclear, but some believe it was intended to make a political statement.
* Who gave the order to release the water?
The order was given by President Trump.
* How will the release of water affect agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley?
The release of water will likely lead to a reduction in the amount of water stored in the reservoirs, which could impact agriculture in the summer.
* Will the released water reach Los Angeles?
No, the water released from the dams does not serve the Los Angeles area, which depends on supplies delivered from the aqueducts of the State Water Project on the other side of the valley.
