Wasteful and Pointless: Trump’s Demand for Water Release in California
A Misguided Move
Donald Trump’s demand for billions of gallons of water to be released in California, in what he said was a move to help combat fires in Los Angeles, was wasteful and pointless, experts say.
The Order
The US president told military engineers to open two dams in the state’s central valley, claiming it would help put out blazes that have ravaged the city and would also irrigate farmland.
Experts Weigh In
But water experts say the order opening dams in California’s San Joaquin Valley sent water down channels and waterways into irrigation ditches in the same valley — nowhere near the fires, and at a time when farms there do not need irrigating.
Water scientist Peter Gleick of the Pacific Institute said the release amounted to Trump having "thrown away" billions of gallons of water.
"It will ‘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,’" he said, according to the Los Angeles Times.
California’s Water System
"California’s water system is very delicately balanced among all of the competing interests, and this episode shows that even slight interference in that system can cause chaos."
The Fires
Blazes that erupted around Los Angeles last month during hurricane-strength wind storms devoured 40,000 acres (16,000 hectares) and destroyed thousands of homes.
The battle to contain them was hampered in the first 24 hours by the fact that winds were too high for helicopters and planes to take to the skies.
With no aerial support, firefighters were dependent on hydrants that in one area ran dry because of the unprecedented demand.
Trump’s Claims
Trump seized on that, claiming it was proof that California officials managed their water supplies badly, resurrecting erroneous claims about water from the north of the state spilling into the Pacific Ocean instead of being diverted to the south.
The Consequences
But his order to the Army Corps of Engineers to "open up the valves" did nothing to improve firefighting conditions and has instead drained water that farmers will likely need later this year, said Democratic congressmen Jared Huffman and Rick Larsen.
"These releases did not meet their stated intent of providing Los Angeles with additional water," they said in a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
They "could reduce the availability of critical municipal and agricultural water supplies later in the year, further exacerbating the fire, safety, and economic risks facing this drought-prone region for years," the letter said.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Trump’s demand for water release in California was a misguided move that wasted billions of gallons of water and did not improve firefighting conditions. The consequences of this action will be felt for years to come, and it is essential to learn from this mistake to ensure the effective management of California’s water system.
FAQs
Q: Why did Trump demand the release of water in California?
A: Trump claimed it was to help combat fires in Los Angeles and irrigate farmland.
Q: What did experts say about the release?
A: Experts said the release was wasteful and pointless, as the water was not used for firefighting or irrigation.
Q: What were the consequences of the release?
A: The release drained water that farmers will likely need later this year, and could reduce the availability of critical municipal and agricultural water supplies.