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February 6, 2025

Trump's Release of Water from California Dams Won't Help Farms or L.A. Firefighters
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California officials have accused President Trump of wasting billions of
gallons of water after he ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to
open two dams in Central California. Over the weekend, Trump declared on
social media, "the water is flowing in California," and claimed it was
"heading to farmers throughout the State, and to Los Angeles." Neither
claim is accurate. None of the 2.2 billion gallons discharged into the
dry lakebed of Tulare Lake will flow to Los Angeles to help with
wildfires, which have already been contained. Meanwhile, the water was
released ahead of the dry summer months, when it's most needed, and
before most farmers have even planted their fields. Southern and Central
California and Nevada are experiencing record or near-record dryness.


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