Following the signing of an executive order focused on federal water deliveries, President Donald Trump is celebrating the success of his directive, which prioritizes water flow in California.
On Friday, the president shared a significant update on social media, emphasizing a marked increase in water flow since the order was implemented.
“Today, 1.6 billion gallons are flowing, and in just three days, that number will rise to 5.2 billion gallons. This is a major victory for California, and everyone should be celebrating! If only they had listened six years ago, those fires could have been avoided!” President Trump tweeted.
The executive order mandates the redirection of surplus water to increase storage capacity in Northern California.
A primary focus of the order is enhancing the San Luis Reservoir, located south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
This initiative is aimed at replenishing California’s depleted surface and groundwater reserves, which have been significantly affected by ongoing drought conditions.
In response to the order, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began releasing water from both Lake Kaweah and Success Lake.
These measures are intended to ensure that California has enough water available for wildfire response.
Surge in Water Flow at Lake Kaweah and Lake Success Raises Concerns from Senator Alex Padilla
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the outflow at Lake Kaweah surged from 49 cubic feet per second on Thursday evening to 1,500 cubic feet per second by Friday morning.
Similarly, the discharge at Lake Success increased from 105 cubic feet per second to 990 cubic feet per second in a matter of hours.
Despite the progress, California Senator Alex Padilla voiced concerns regarding the lack of notification to local officials about these water releases.
He raised questions about whether this water could have been better utilized for irrigation during the summer.
Senator Padilla is demanding answers about who authorized these releases, whether they are truly aimed at wildfire response, and the potential impact on communities around Tulare Lake, including private landowners.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order Strengthens California’s Water Management and Wildfire Response Efforts
At the same time, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order in anticipation of an incoming atmospheric river affecting Northern California.
This order directs the Department of Water Resources to capture and store excess water while accelerating permits for groundwater recharge.
Additionally, Governor Newsom is deploying swift water rescue teams and fire engines to El Dorado and Nevada Counties, with more fire engines sent to Glenn County.
Both President Trump and Governor Newsom’s actions represent a critical effort to address California’s ongoing water crisis and to better protect communities from the growing threat of wildfires and flooding.
These initiatives demonstrate a coordinated approach to managing water resources while safeguarding residents and vital infrastructure.
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