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Trump’s Northern California Water Release Called “Dumb” by Experta

In the wake of the devastating Southern California wildfires, President Trump has pointed to a shortage of water from northern California as a key factor behind the crisis—and vowed to address it. On Friday, he shared a photo of a flowing river on social media, proclaiming it as the “beautiful water flow that I just opened in California.” Acting on his executive order, he instructed the Army Corps of Engineers to open the floodgates at two Tulare County reservoirs.

A statement issued from Washington, D.C. explained that, in line with the President’s directive, the Army Corps is releasing water from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Lake Success. The stated goal is to ensure that sufficient water is available for wildfire response efforts.

However, water strategist Barry Nelson has raised significant concerns about the decision. “Apparently, Mr. Trump believed this would help Southern California, but there are two major issues,” Nelson said. “First, the rivers in question aren’t connected to Southern California, so that water won’t reach the area. Second, this is water that was reserved for next summer’s agricultural needs. Releasing it now—especially when it’s already raining—not only fails to help anyone but also poses a very real risk of flooding.”

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Nelson, who advises the Golden State Salmon Association, is particularly upset by the move. For the past two years, members of his organization have struggled as dwindling numbers of wild Chinook salmon have made it nearly impossible to fish. “California salmon are now at one of the worst points in history—our most crucial salmon runs are on the verge of extinction,” he warned.

Fishermen argue that robust river flows during the dry season are critical for the survival of these fish, while local farmers, who rely on stored water for irrigation, share Nelson’s frustration. “The agriculture community is asking, ‘What is going on?’ This is water that farmers need for next summer’s crops,” he said. “Releasing it now only creates a flood risk.”

Nelson also expressed concern that this action might set a troubling precedent for resource management over the coming years. “California’s water system is incredibly complex—it’s not as simple as flipping a switch,” he explained. “If decision-makers underestimate that complexity and issue orders based on oversimplified assumptions, they’re bound to make disastrous mistakes.”

According to President Trump’s announcement, more than five billion gallons of water were slated to be released within three days of the dam openings. Nelson believes that those at the Army Corps of Engineers should recognize that this release is both futile and dangerous. Yet, he notes, as a military organization, they are likely just following orders from the Commander in Chief.

“This ill-advised release of water, which fails to deliver any real benefit and instead endangers public safety, clearly shows that expertise matters when managing large, complex systems,” Nelson concluded. “Let’s hope that this experience serves as a lesson for policymakers in Washington, D.C.”

Layla Hango
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