President Donald Trump’s promise to release large quantities of water in California took shape on Thursday after the Army Corps of Engineers released flows from two Tulare County dams.
“Photo of beautiful water flow that I just opened in California,” Trump wrote Friday on Truth Social. “Today, 1.6 billion gallons and, in 3 days, it will be 5.2 billion gallons. Everybody should be happy about this long fought Victory!”
Photo of beautiful water flow that I just opened in California. Today, 1.6 billion gallons and, in 3 days, it will be 5.2 billion gallons. Everybody should be happy about this long fought Victory! I only wish they listened to me six years ago – There would have been no fire! pic.twitter.com/Oaz92ZeiTh
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 31, 2025
While updating reporters on snowpack conditions on Friday, California Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth noted that the traditional “high degree of coordination at the operational level” between state and federal authorities did not happen.
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The Army Corps action occurred a few days after Trump's executive order that directed the Bureau of Reclamation to maximize water deliveries and produce more hydropower, regardless of “contrary” state and local authority.
Army Corps spokesperson Gene Pawlik confirmed that the water release from Terminus and Schafer Dams was consistent with the federal order, multiple news agencies reported.
Westlands Water District and Friant Water Authority had expressed support for the president earlier this week and echoed his sentiment that the last few decades of water management need to be improved upon.
