New mega California reservoir is in final planning phase

When completed, the long-proposed, $4 billion Sites Reservoir will hold enough water to feed the needs of five million homes a year or a half million acres of farmland.
Subscribe to KTVU's KZbin channel:
/ @ktvufox2
KTVU delivers the best in-depth reports, interviews and breaking news coverage in the San Francisco Bay Area and California
Watch KTVU's newscasts on www.ktvu.com/live
Download KTVU's news and weather apps for free at www.ktvu.com/mobile-apps
Subscribe to KTVU's newsletter at www.ktvu.com/newsletters
Follow KTVU on Facebook: / ktvu
Follow KTVU on Twitter: / ktvu
Follow KTVU on Instagram: / ktvu2

[@matismf]

Covering San Francisco with water 50 feet deep sounds like an OUTSTANDING idea!

[@PelosiStockPortfolio]

Its good they got the planning done. They will probably get around to building it as soon as that high speed rail project is completed.

[@tomscott3]

epic!

[@KB-ke3fi]

LOL!

[@Justthe2ofUs843]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@rafangille]

the high speed rail project is unique tho, such infrastructure that size hasn’t rlly been done in north america before

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

They steal your money and send it to their 'planning' buddies, so they can get a duffel bag of cash, or a Swiss deposit, when nobody is watching.

[@gershonhopster]

“Farms families fish and fowl” my man has been waiting his whole life to say that on camera 😂

[@Jaradis]

Reservoirs like this, where they can divert water from rivers during flood periods would be a great idea. Keeps the excess water from damaging homes and just flowing into the ocean.

[@qwikz28]

Shame this wasn't in place this year. It could have darn near filled up with the amount of rain California had.

[@yoyopg123]

it sure is, its just a sign of the current state of California that it is still in a planning phase. Waiting for it to get nixed by environmentalists so we can always be kept in a state of drought with all the controls that proceed from that. And the flowing into the ocean part wasn't a bug, it was a feature!

[@williampotter2098]

Ummm. This isn't a new idea. There are thousands of water reservoirs in the country. Unfortunately liberal politics stops any more from being built. There are even groups fighting to remove dams to return the land to what it once was. How people can think like this while encouraging new people to enter the country, increasing the need for more water is pure insanity.

[@vashcrimson4395]

the continuous dumping into the ocean has nothing to do with storage capacity and everything todo with politics. utilities have zero incentive to lower water costs. Folsom dam for example has been kept low on purpose for almost 2 decades because they are afraid of terrorists blowing it up.

[@Cl0ckcl0ck]

And the reservoir 'leaks' into the ground, whenever there is water in it, replenishing ground water.

[@Airborn14]

We also need to build rain harvesting reservoirs throughout California so when it does rain heavy or light its saved for later use for crops and/or cities that need it.

[@ltv..123]

Rainfall retention basins.

[@curiousnomadic]

IKR. Netherlands has their land management figured out by the 1960s. It's ridiculous we have all these floods and nowhere to capture it.

[@KB-ke3fi]

@@curiousnomadic The Netherlands is a completely different eco area. They don't have deserts you dolt.

[@KB-ke3fi]

Evaporation. Look it up.

[@curiousnomadic]

@@KB-ke3fi Do you have zero concept of logic you silly bugger? If they can remove the sea, then California can remove the desert you dolt.

[@JS-zb1vv]

They gonna fill it with hopes and dreams

[@jcmc9378]

they're a day late and a dollar short

[@FlyingAceAV8B]

Yep….it’ll never happen.

[@fauxque5057]

I made the same comment, where do they plan to get the water from. Then it hit me. There's going to be an over abundance of liberal tears after the next 2 or 3 elections and they need a reservoir to store them in. Couple that with the wasted tears everytime Trump dodges jail and they are going to need 2 reservoirs to contain the tears

[@FlyingAceAV8B]

@@fauxque5057 lol

[@notorious_diego2446]

You'd be surprised how much it actually rains in northern California

[@TheMilpitasguy]

Wow, I had never heard of this before but this project is long overdue. That runoff to the sea has always been a problem, and a way had to be found to collect it for future use. Nice going, water engineers.

[@wiscgaloot]

Runoff to the sea is necessary to keep the Delta farmland from being ruined by saltwater coming in to the bay.

[@TheMilpitasguy]

@@wiscgaloot What I meant by "problem" was that there was no way to collect it for future use, when CA has been experiencing drought after drought. But now there will be.

[@wiscgaloot]

@@TheMilpitasguy As I said, the current rate of freshwater flow into the Delta must continue. This will reduce that flow. Which will lead to a disaster.

[@mrepix8287]

@@wiscgaloot No it won’t lmao. In fact it will be environmentally beneficial because it will allow the state to release MORE water into the delta in dry periods than previously.

[@wiscgaloot]

@@mrepix8287 have you driven anywhere in the Central Valley? There are signs everywhere demanding that we STOP "dumping" water into the ocean. And demanding more storage. You're clueless if you think this will help at all.

[@donaldkasper8346]

In southern San Joaquin, build up Tule Lake for storage. It is now usually drained and used as farmland.

[@paulriddle7818]

Are you going to buy out all those corporate farms?

[@Nabraska49]

It’s taken 70 years from when it was identified to get this far … wow …

[@dennisg4053]

Back when Arnold was the Governor.... He wanted to spend $4 Billon on adding water storage and conservation projects. Howevere, Dems in the Legislature would NOT allow it. They clamed " It was not needed and a waste of $$ "

[@A.Martin]

@@dennisg4053 when you belong to the wrong party, they will oppose anything just to spite you.

[@oliphauntsneverlie6227]

@@A.Martin Seems they'd rather die of thirst. Such stupidity.

[@flyingdaytrader]

And it'll take another 13 to become operational which means plenty of time for environmental groups to shut it down. These types of projects need to be greenlight and given some kind of clearance that prevents groups from trying to stall it out.

[@prmhighflr69]

California is too much all these damn Democrats just want to spend money like if it's not even theirs another stupid idea about 2 years ago there was a lot of rain in California but all I did was see it go down the storage drains they could have captured all that water....... just wasting more tax dollars and coming up with more propositions to fund their need for greed......lol

[@AZCobraman]

Good news, but I gotta say...San Fran under 50' of water is a hell of a good idea.

[@slothmarathonpromotions2470]

It would be like rats fleeing a sinking ship.

[@cvshav]

Hahaha clever

[@mattf49006]

I'd say 20 feet over your place is a start

[@AZCobraman]

@@mattf49006 if my place is flooded I'd say most of Cali would be on the ocean floor

[@nated7229]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍👍👍

[@lupo4cl2]

We need to push home rain ☔️ system for plants, garden and lawn. In raining season I collet 500 gallons from my home roof

[@2discoveredm788]

Starts out only taking water out during the rainy season. But it never stays like that

[@samuelhowie4543]

So it's taken 70 years to get this far on it. How much longer before it's actually a reality.

[@RobbyTripp]

If you watched the video, it says it’s scheduled to start in 2025 and operate in 2031. It didn’t take 70 years to get to this point but it did take a while. When they mapped the site it was mapped as a POTENTIAL reservoir that doesn’t mean they had plans since the 50’s to build it simply it’s an option. It’s ok if you didn’t comprehend that though.

[@davezad]

"If you watched the video" I mean, you already know they didn't.

[@dasherhunter434]

A bathroom costs 1.5 million to build in San Francisco lol…

[@Chimera_Photography]

@@RobbyTripp The simplest things, right? People just want to be shitty, and they really enjoy bitching and moaning... Even when they don't understand...

[@lwilton]

​@@RobbyTripp If it is projected to start in 2025, that is when the lawyers will start getting injunctions against it, and when those die down a little, say 2052, then the EPA will create a Federal injunction to stop the project, claiming that it would destroy an endangered type of lice that only exist in one two foot square exactly in the deepest part of the proposed reservoir.

[@jamram9924]

Cities like Tucson, AZ, have been diverting rain water for decades. In addition, reusing grey water for ponds, irrigation of golf courses and parks. Many decades ago, Israeli engineers were used to help with some of this process. California can certainly learn and apply these measures. Farm lands can also use grey water in those thirsty almond groves and other agricultural applications.

[@jamram9924]

@@tekdekman Nahh, nothing like what Israel has conducted, so you’re misinformed.

[@6bigyak987]

@@tekdekman or its just the cycle

[@hamburgler227]

Awatkins916 why the hate? And why’d you delete your first comment?? Can we just let ppl share interesting ideas without immediately shitting on them bc we didn’t say it first?? (And by “we”, I mean you)

[@dgronzega8073]

Many places in CA do use "grey water".

[@dgronzega8073]

@@6bigyak987 "The cycle"? Pay attention, open your eyes. What used to be swampland is now housing. What used to be pastureland is now housing. Without a corresponding conversion of housing to farmland and wetlands . . . it is overuse of resources caused by overpopulation.

[@plant.hacks.4.ur.environment]

I’m an environmentalist and I think this reservoir is a great idea. Right now most of the water we have had is being flushed out to sea. Newsom is destroying the wetland in the Delta. This reservoir would allow for better water management. Something north California desperately needs!

[@Oneklickmedia]

This should’ve been done before the dumb train

[@MrKim-kv2vv]

Hmmm, an environmentalist. Then you should realize cutting freshwater flow to the delta will damage it more. Without fresh water, salt water will creep further into the delta damaging the ecosystem.

[@robtangent4664]

@@MrKim-kv2vv If you only fill it during wet season when too much water is actually a problem, what is the problem?

[@jhdsfalsjhdfjashdkhvjfldld8301]

​@@robtangent4664 That river deltas need such floods to grow, and regenerate soil nutrients thanks to sediments. Morons...

[@lynnkramer1211]

You cannot be serious about being an environmentalist then. Environmentalists hate doing anything to improve infastructure. That is what they do. Totally useless scumbags. Environmentalists will gladly eat your lunch and drink your beer but they oppose anything that might benefit mankind. And they are the ones who began the whole climate change grift.

[@markmiranda9461]

We have so much water run off and ship it down south. It makes no sense why we haven’t opened up more reservoirs around the state, even if they only get 20% of capacity, that’s a lot of water.

[@M.Mae.M]

Amazing to see this forward thinking, we need about 20 of these!

[@Dog.soldier1950]

Forward thinking? Haha

[@Ry_Guy]

Okay great, now we just need water....😑

[@donchristie420]

Let’s live on the water(that we can’t drink without desalination) to get our water from states away😂

[@KB-ke3fi]

No, you need to move away.

[@guyname8760]

But where though? All the major rivers already have several massive dams and there are very few places like this proposed site.

[@bbaff8622]

Wow CA really rushing on this one. Have only known about this problem for a few decades

[@davidrinaldis2351]

Yeah, it'll never happen

[@bbaff8622]

@@davidrinaldis2351 sadly I am betting some group files a lawsuit for environmental issues and blocks it.

[@loissmith4123]

Need it done yesterday!!

[@Orangeman47]

If this is a government-led operation, add 2 to 5 billion on to the estimation and another 10 years to complete

[@septembersurprise5178]

"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then Success is sure." - Mark Twain

[@hamburgler227]

LJ why don’t you run for government and make it work better?

[@Orangeman47]

@@hamburgler227 because I'm not a swamp creature

[@joegonzalez1941]

Don't forget, some endangered muskrat will stop the project for another 20 years!

[@joetanaka6446]

💥 Exactly. The bigger the project, the more corruption it can support. There will be more "studies" adding hundreds of millions of dollars in added and unnecessary costs than you can possibly imagine!

[@JS-oy6nn]

Water is now “teleported” fascinating. Building another lake in a desert 🏜 Brilliant.!!!

[@newscoulomb3705]

Sites Valley is at the base of the foothills above WETLANDS, which regularly flood during winter. It's hardly a desert. You might want to do some research before criticizing one of the better public works projects proposed for California in the last 50 years.

[@JS-oy6nn]

@@newscoulomb3705 water management has been top notch in California no doubts there. Personally I’ve been hoping California will break off into the ocean 🤞

[@Darhan62]

Much needed.

[@CJready]

about time !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@leeschmid471]

So, if every other reservoir is drying up where is the water to fill this coming from?

[@michaelbailey1403]

And what if an asteroid hits it when it's full and causes floods all over from the damage reservoir?

[@davidmurray6176]

@@michaelbailey1403That is one of the stupidest comments I've ever read. Your more likely to get stuck by lightning. Smh!

[@MrSneaksful]

What fills our reservoirs is the eventual rain and run off from snow in the mountains. Like we just had, are you not a californian? Almost everywhere in the state had some flooding from the massive rain. California's water supply comes from the rain/snow pack, its cyclical. We need more storage for when these big rains come, like we just had.

[@guyname8760]

@@MrSneaksful Issue is Sites Reservoir would be in the west, in the mountains where it doesn't snow.

[@cavemancaveman9746]

Have you been paying attention?! 2017, 2019, and 2023 record breaking rain / snow. The state is flooded and still raining. Nearly all this water is going straight to the ocean. It's not being captured because we don't have enough reservoirs to capture the runoff. The reservoirs are "drying up" because our population has increased by 20 millions people since the last reservoir was built. We also have to flush the sewage out of SF Bay using Norcal reservoir water every year. Our reservoir water is mismanaged. Fix the SF Bay sewage leaks. Stop releasing extra water for smelt. Have Los Angeles build a couple desalination plants.

[@Kayenta66]

When you read the comments and you see people can't pay attention to a 3 minute video 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@THEGOLDENFAMY]

🤣🤣

[@rum-ham]

Seriously

[@bunnyrabbit778]

I feel attacked

[@billm6774]

Great comment about others. But what's about you. Who made you judge of all and what about the article which not a word.

[@billm6774]

I'm still thinking about it as I'm familiar with the area and I think I like it but I want to see the predicted rate of use and not have it just sitting in the sun . It's affect on the Sacramento river which already feeds several dams .

[@monsieurbono]

I was just reading about how water is pumped from Lake Havasu / Parker Dam on the Colorado to IRON MOUNTAINS and on to and through the Coachella Valley and San Jacinto Mountain Range. Lots of pumping and elevation changes, must cost a fortune.

[@crazyman8472]

Just in time for the next atmospheric river! 😎

[@richardlynch1094]

See ya Delta Smelt. It was nice knowing you!

[@meatpopsicle1567]

How many delta smelt have you got in your life?

[@richardlynch1094]

@@meatpopsicle1567 my while family are Delta Smelt. Don't disrespect the Smelt! :)

[@richardlynch1094]

@@jimmaag4274 you're my hero Jim. Never forget that. EVER!

[@zhaneranger]

Where are we going to get the rain to fill it?

[@gconol]

They gonna pray to their demons for rain.

[@yoteslaya7296]

ITS CALLED THE SKY, GENIUS

[@zhaneranger]

@@yoteslaya7296 oh really? Whatever is above our heads here in California doesn’t have any rain in it. Will you please send some sky over from wherever you are?

[@yoteslaya7296]

@@zhaneranger rains come every 5 years. Guess you forgot last time when it rained so hard the Oroville damn broke

[@mhughes1160]

There’s a couple of dry lakes that they could refill also for a lot less.

[@TheHomesTeam]

Great news!!

[@waltbroedner4754]

First identified by the department of water resources as as one of the largest possible reservoirs in all of California back in the 1950s. That is 52 years ago. Good going department of water resources for such an expedient and fast solution to California's water problems., always looking first for the well being of California residents.

[@Trey4x4]

72-62 years*

[@dennisg4053]

Back when Arnold was the Governor.... He wanted to spend $4 Billon on adding water storage and conservation projects. Dems in the Legislature would NOT allow it. They clamed " It was not needed and a waste of $$ "

[@TC-kf9zw]

@@dennisg4053 same dems in office today that think men can have babies and there are infinite about of genders.......

[@soakupthesunman]

@@dennisg4053 Ironically, it is Democrats who are "not needed and are a waste of money".

[@flipnotrab]

They laughed back in 1911 (or 1912) when guy suggested building the first aqueduct system there.

[@billm6774]

One statement really bugs me . The uncaptured wasted water goes on to the sea. Well that so called waste brings sand to our ocean side beaches which without our beaches and coastal planes would disappear. Our fish that migrate to the sea would disappear. The droughts are caused by us overbuilding, removing forests by cutting or burning. Rainforests cause low pressure areas in the atmosphere pulling in rain . Buildings and roads cause high pressure zones which rain goes around and is not rained on. We've got too many people here already. But building more houses and ever expanding is killing California. Not the wasted waters that escape be captured in a dam but water that brings life from the sea.

[@anthonyca]

What do we do about the increasing population? 2nd generation Californians of all races have a negative birthrate on average. Immigration, much of it illegal is driving the population growth from.the 60s till now.

[@chrisbrowne4669]

Androgynous fish and marine life, estuary flushing, ocean water chemistry. Overpopulation is killing the earth and is driven by corporate greed and the elites getting rich from it. Flood the central valley again and bring back Tulare Lake which we drained only 150 years ago.

[@thehoundGOT]

I agree! I think your comment is the only one here worth reading.

[@jimmaag4274]

Found the enviro-nazi who will be helping tie this up in the courts for the next 20 years. The liberals will be the final downfall of California.

[@andrewcarr2416]

Put a Nuclear power-plant next to it if you want to really help!

[@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503]

Can we put the nuclear waste in your yard

[@joshmcdonald9508]

But NO!!!! 20,000 years ago, there was an ancient tortoise that walked through there once. That's holy land. (s)

[@steveurbach3093]

@@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503 We have a 'waste' problem because of folk like you thinking Power plants create Weapons grade waste, Instead of reprocessing (fuel pellets are weak,,,by design) we have holding ponds full of fuel that just needs a bit of refurbishment. I was told the residue of a (full set of rods) reprocess would fit in ONE drum and people like you would rather make power by BURNING tons of carbon based fuel. Maybe you should stop watching hollywood. BTW Fukishima disaster was caused by someone not doing the right thing and putting the emergency cooling power on the roof of those buildings (known tidal wave zone). The buildings survived just fine. The much needed backup power did not.

[@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503]

@@steveurbach3093 thanks for the enlightenment ☢️☣️... So what your telling me in other words is that WWII should of been fought with Nuclear arsenals..... To hell with petroleum fueled wars....let's scrap all that and nuke the shit outta the Planet! After all what my Father told me was right.... You know what money is good for in the Jungle? ( Island Hopper WWII) You can wipe your ass with it! I'm a conventional man....it's greed that's ruined this planet

[@Hunpecked]

I'd think a nuclear plant would be more useful where it can power a desalination facility.

[@STapia-hf7vp]

Well, we missed catching this winters rain.

[@4lostinamerica]

My family lived and ran cattle in the Antelope Valley during the 1860s to 1870. All of the water in the Valley is seasonal, so natural flow would never be able to fill it, but it is a perfect natural bowl with a 600ft tall narrow ridge that runs along the Eastern side and with the hills to the West an earthen dam built along the Northern opening would make it the least expensive to build and the biggest Off Flow reservoir in the State. The environmental activist group, The Center for Biological Diversity has been blocking this project for decades. So we'll see if this ever happens.

[@henryc1000]

Good to know that the center for biological diversity is the group responsible for blocking this reservoir being built.

[@dezznutz3743]

Yup, Its just Progressives doing what they do best, stopping progress.

[@johnschuh8616]

Maybe a few assassinations are in order?

[@hambone2335]

You still have have rain. The bigger the reservoir, the higher the evaporation rate.

[@fauxque5057]

They'll put black plastic balls on top to stop evaporation

[@JohnS-il1dr]

Still better than not collecting rainwater. 100% of nothing is still zero. I'll take 20% of water in a reservoir any day

[@stupidd6513]

They can just cover it with 100,000,000,000,000 plastic black balls. :)

[@thetrutha2177]

California has wet ad dry years. This is one of 10 projects that approved for construction roughly 40 years ago, but leftwingers have fought against it tooth and nail.

[@stupidd6513]

@@thetrutha2177 Really? It's the left that votes against stuff now? LOLOL

[@davidwright873]

I like Tom....."Right now theres a big gap between supply of water and the demand for water...." No shit Tom???? lol

[@Ry_Guy]

Everyone keeps talking like the lack of water somehow isn't an issue...

[@davidwright873]

@@Ry_Guy it's huge and has been for pert near a decade or two...If people can't read the writing on the wall, we're all in for a hurting....

[@dudeonbike800]

Dams aren't the only solution, Tom! Have you read "Cadillac Desert" or other germane works on water policy affecting Californians? Please provide your answer in reply to my comment above. I'm VERY curious to know how many commenters on water policy have done any "homework" on the subject. Thank you.

[@davidwright873]

@@dudeonbike800 we HAVE water and get MORE water but it runs off into the ocean...We don't know how to SAVE the water....

[@dudeonbike800]

@@davidwright873 we WASTE water by the acre foot. Central Valley farmers still aren't using efficient, responsible irrigation. Since they make up 80% of CA's water use, that's all the savings we need. Can save BILLIONS in spending on dams & other projects simply by requiring farmers use water better. Oh and perhaps if we stopped subsidizing their water (that's SOCIALISM!!!!), they'd value the water more and use it more wisely! And then there's residential use, although tiny, still wastes a lot of water. Watering lawns & yards, filling pools, washing cars & flushing toilets with drinking water. In my case, PRISTINE Sierra snow melt drinking water. I'm VERY lucky to have such excellent water. Too bad so much is wasted on things grey & rainwater could be used on instead.

[@sizzlemcnizzle]

I'm guessing the 9 year completion schedule is highly optimistic.

[@YourName-jm7lz]

its 2 years, 2024.

[@Joe-nk5kt]

Tom always does the best stories.

[@joebledsoe257]

All of the final step sewage water (its treated and clean, technically consumable right out of the pipe) should be returned to the environment for reuse, not to the ocean. All the way to the top of the current LA supply along with the other sources for other cities.

[@randygravel2057]

“Wetter wets and dryer dries” = Normal

[@Linkwii64]

We need water at any cost so bring it on. This is something fisherman like myself would support.

[@dudeonbike800]

No we don't! Throwing away money isn't acceptable, given society's challenges today. We can't even HOUSE people, much less offer universal health care and living wages. Desal is a boondoggle CA definitely doesn't need. As long as we keep flushing toilets, filling swimming pools, washing cars and watering our yards with pristine Sierra drinking water, we don't have a water shortage, but a water usage problem. Grey and rainwater recapture should be pursued before building more dams. Have you read "Cadillac Desert" or other germane works on water policy affecting Californians? Please provide your answer in reply to my comment above. I'm VERY curious to know how many commenters on water policy have done any "homework" on the subject. Thank you.

[@markmrkmarc]

Yessss ❤

[@leor9252]

You can build 1,000 reservoirs, but if it doesn't rain what's the point.

[@ohausfranswa]

Tomasino? What monsoons in California are you taking about? So dry you have a FIRE season. Pay attention.

[@XDarkCrusades]

@@ohausfranswa You're the one obviously not paying attention because California is seeing less rain events but more powerful atmospheric rivers. The event October 24-25, 2021 would be a recent example. The bigger benefit would be to mitigate the effects of "the big one". See ArkStorm which basically turned the Sacramento river into a lake.

[@KB-ke3fi]

@@XDarkCrusades Dont matter anyhow.....Al Gore and JOhn Kerry will put fear into everyone about how we'll all die if we don't tax it.

[@Nikowalker007]

It would take between 1 and 5 years to fill it depending on the total rain amount

[@Sshooter444]

It rains every year, genius.

[@septembersurprise5178]

"Water is for fighting over, whiskey is for drinking." - Mark Twain

[@referencefool6525]

🏖✨🥃 🪧~57% 🚰🔄

[@alanmydland5210]

Here we go

[@diveforknowledge]

We need that COMPLETED 3 years ago, not approved to start construction some time after the high speed rail is completed.

[@dayneholt4149]

We need the water very much, a big thank you 😊 to those who are solving our dire water shortage problems 😀 Thank you 😊.

[@drone_boss]

Drink the koolaid

[@spacecoyote6646]

The water has to be there in order to fill a reservoir. What we're finding out in the Colorado River basin is the water is not there. If you're going to live in a desert, you have to live like you live in a desert

[@drone_boss]

Manipulating natural ecosystems is my point.

[@drone_boss]

@@spacecoyote6646 I agree with the CRB comment.

[@thetrutha2177]

This is one of 10 projects that approved for construction roughly 40 years ago, but leftwingers have fought against it tooth and nail. I'm not holding my breath

[@petertannas2923]

There used to be Great Lakes in the Central Valley but they were drained 100 or so years ago

[@mitch_the_-itch]

When the Glaciers melted there were all kinds of lakes, lol. Unlike those glaciers 1922 wasn't that long ago. Please give us all a history lesson of California's "great lakes.", lol.

[@stainlesssteellemming3885]

@@mitch_the_-itch You are showing your ignorance. This takes a few seconds to google. > When the Glaciers melted there were all kinds of lakes, lol. Unlike those glaciers 1922 wasn't that long ago. Please give us all a history lesson of California's "great lakes.", lol. The entire Central Valley was a lake (Lake Corcoran) draining out through the Salinas Valley (and cutting the huge underwater canyon at Moss Landing in the process) until only 600,000 years ago. Then a natural dam broke and it drained out through SF Bay. After that, it left Lake Tulare at the southern end. This was the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. As recently as 1938 it overflowed due to rains and flooded 28,000 Acres. The rivers feeding it were eventually dammed in the 1950's and farmers drained what was left for crops. They keep draining the aquifers, causing subsidence of the entire area by up to 11 feet per year.

[@theorangepersonman]

@@mitch_the_-itch lookup “Tulare Lake”

[@SeattlePioneer]

This was done to populate Los Angeles with environmentalists who would oppose such projects forever after.

[@paulriddle7818]

@SeattlePioneer no it was done by area farmer and the cotton industry put the nail in the coffin.

[@gbmwaz]

"Over the last 25 years, we have lost more than 150 km3 of groundwater from California, which would take many many years of rain to replace, even if there were no consumptive use for municipal or agricultural purposes."

[@chadachwilliam5515]

“Hold” water, in California? No way, sounds like a cash grab by developers. Watch that budget and audit EVERYONE involved.

[@brocluno01]

Please, let's build it ASAP.

[@richardjimenez7394]

Get it done ✔️

[@michaellalanae7228]

After one thousand years they are finally going to save some water ? WOW .

[@dudeonbike800]

Hyperbole. Have you read "Cadillac Desert" or other germane works on water policy affecting Californians? Please provide your answer in reply to my comment above. I'm VERY curious to know how many commenters on water policy have done any "homework" on the subject. Thank you.

[@caseycarver986]

My father grew-up during the Great Dust Bowl when it stopped raining in middle America for three years. My mother survived the same in Oklahoma. In both Kansas and Oklahoma after that dry period, the states began building large and small dams to save winter rain and snow water and to save the water from the massive summer rain storms. TODAY... Oklahoma and Kansas have lots of lakes, forests, water recreation areas and electricity generating damns in their states. THEY ALSO HAVE NO MORE DUST BOWL!!!! Learn from history!

[@James-po6ib]

the question is they have known this sinse 1954 why haven't they done it before now

[@DieselRamcharger]

there hasnt been a period of 3 years without rain. dumb ass.

[@rh6625]

Your post can't be true. I read that our droughts are HISTORIC and are caused by man-made climate change. How could heat and droughts have been worse in the 1930s? Obviously, you must not know the facts. By the way, my Dad tells the same stories. Land dried up in Oklahoma, searing heat waves (no a/c back then), lost the farm, lived in a tent as they lost their home, picked cotton and crops to survive. At least he didn't tell us he walked in the snow uphill both ways.

[@James-po6ib]

@@rh6625 man made climate change is a lie created by politicians and scientist that align with the far left the climate naturally changes not to say man don't play a small part but largely we don't

[@samename3926]

First comment is wrong Kansas gets 70% of it's water from Colorado 🤣

[@TOL1488]

About damn time

[@sonofawwiivet8336]

Former Gov. Jerry Brown has family property in the mountains out of Williams CA.Dont think for one second that there will be more Vineyards and Wineries down stream. There are a few vineyards that have popped up along I 5 as it is. Sierra Nevada Cheese Co. has expanded and already teamed up with Farmers Brewery and they just put in another facility in Chico,Rumiano Cheese Co. expanded and moved into a new facility closer to I 5 in Willows,so it seems the writing is on the wall and big plans near the reservoir have already started. Lake Sonoma is a perfect example.

[@buggyridge]

I was a watershed project manager for USDA in Colusa County from 1998-2000. Worked on some of the planning phase already underway for almost 50 years. In a nutshell, the project is not practical or feasible. Far too expensive and complicated and displaces too much natural habitat. The cost benefit ratio is just not there.

[@dudeonbike800]

"Have you read "Cadillac Desert" or other germane works on water policy affecting Californians? Please provide your answer in reply to my comment above. I'm VERY curious to know how many commenters on water policy have done any "homework" on the subject. Thank you." THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT!!! You're definitely a "yes!" Unfortunately, your KNOWLEDGEABLE opinion (and vote) will be nullified by all the ignorant Californians who know nothing about water policy. Thus my inquiry above. Next we'll see trillion dollar desal projects that will sit idle for decades. Let's stop the ripoff of Californians by big business. Scare tactics are really effective against ignorant voters.

[@ronblack7870]

you are the problem. natural habitat has no value. it's just feel good bullshit. california needs the water. human animals need water.beavers destroy habitat to suit themselves , humans have to do the same.

[@DemPilafian]

It's not related to the news, but that's an awesome arial view of the *Golden Gate Park:* 0:28

[@montyi8]

I have never seen the park in that angle, looked like new York for a second.

[@dannmarks]

This is a great Idea... More wet land should make environmentalists happy... I am an environmentalist myself and I love this idea. Speed it up already.

[@johnalarcon6375]

California is a drought state always , we are in a water shortage situation here in California and this is all caused by water mismanagement and environmental groups causing big problems !

[@scottw5315]

Southern California is an irrigated desert. It doesn't rain much in the desert. Who knew!

[@johnalarcon6375]

@@scottw5315 Exactly well said !

[@MrSneaksful]

@@scottw5315 all that doesnt matter, its the agriculture that is the MAIN water user in Cal and the main cash crop for the state as well as the country.

[@scottw5315]

@@MrSneaksful I was in Camarillo this summer. There was a flashing sign on the road, EXTREME DROUGHT conserve water. Honestly, the rest of us are tired of California whining. You mean your sending all those nuts to China? Good for you...still don't care.

[@cavemancaveman9746]

Even when it's flooding we are in a drought. 🙃🙄

[@KuptisOriginal]

I bet those people living in that valley aren't willingly giving up their homestead but have to thanks to eminent domain. Plus, with the population increasing (I'm being an optimist or pessimist depending on your point of view) or even if it stayed the same for awhile, California needs more than 2 of these reservoirs.

[@The_Savage_Wombat]

They've been evacuating towns to build reservoirs forever. Lake Mead is one example.

[@pmullins8821]

You'd asphalt & concrete over all those farm lands, eh ? Supermarkets are the orgins of meats, fruits & veggies, right ?? WRONG.

[@Djkommode]

@@pmullins8821 who in the right mind farms in the desert in the first place

[@californianorma876]

colonizers, on stolen land, Native tribes got kicked out not so long ago.

[@The_Savage_Wombat]

@@californianorma876 Pretty much all land on Earth was stolen repeatedly over thousands of years. This includes North and South America as well. Constant migration, violence and disease across the planet was the cause. Going back about 20,000 - 30,000 years so called Native tribes were the same people as Europeans.

[@GhostOnTheHalfShell]

Nice evaporation pond. It may be necessary but that is a dam shallow reservoir.

[@dudeonbike800]

Oops, stop throwing facts and feasibility stats around, you might confuse people! Have you read "Cadillac Desert" or other germane works on water policy affecting Californians? Please provide your answer in reply to my comment above. I'm VERY curious to know how many commenters on water policy have done any "homework" on the subject. Thank you.

[@mikester9er]

Environments always the #1 roadblock to solving environmental problems.

[@mayolasbones6831]

Great let's do it fast. Thank you

[@DerrickRuthless]

I’m very glad to see this!

[@alexanderx33]

Reservoir is too small and too shallow. Adding 200ft elev to shasta instead would provide an additional 9 millon acrefeet of storage. Dam foundation was originally built to that spec but they ran out of funding for materials to that size during the great depression. It would also require relocation of some reservoir-side infrastructure built since the dams completion as well as several smaller saddle dams to plug in a few passes here and there.

[@twelvestitches984]

That is too smart for Democrats to comprehend.

[@dudeonbike800]

Have you read "Cadillac Desert" or other germane works on water policy affecting Californians? Please provide your answer in reply to my comment above. I'm VERY curious to know how many commenters on water policy have done any "homework" on the subject. Thank you.

[@alexanderx33]

@@dudeonbike800 My knowledge is partly personal research and partly from my bachelors classes on hydrology, geology, hydrogeology, water resources taken in a university in california. I got a little obsessed with californias reservoirs a few years back because I had a jet boat and wanted to know where I could go and have enough depth to launch and such. Turned into a more generalized obsession. Learned alot about all the hows whys and whats. Less so about water rights.

[@dudeonbike800]

@@alexanderx33 excellent. Appreciate the reply.

[@stevegonsolin1990]

I know there was talk of an additional 50 vertical feet for Shasta which would increase the water storage from 4.5 million acre ft to nearly 13 million acre ft. . I can't remember about the 200ft elevation. I do remember of the funding loss. Where did you find this information. I'd love to read up on it.

[@beerussama7093]

You would think these reservoirs would’ve been already built.

[@carloschavez8922]

About time we doing something good

[@daphnetruman]

So, can we actually opt to cover San Fran in The 50 feet of water and pass on the reservoir. Because if so, that would be super hip.

[@dr.a006]

It would certainly wash all the feces away

[@daphnetruman]

@@dr.a006 50 feet?!?! Yeah..., maybe....

[@Clapicus]

I hope next thing they do is reforestation of barren lands like those in Sacramento area etc

[@Ap_twsh]

reforestation would help Californias water crisis and help with climate change

[@Clapicus]

@@Ap_twsh yup. Exactly

[@aidenalcala5473]

Exactly 💯

[@jasons3721]

And reintroduce the brown bear. The only brown bear in existence in California is the 1 on the state flag.

[@nitemir9982]

We could use it right now!

[@fabulousrobert6607]

This is awesome. I’m glad to see what becomes of it. Perhaps adding more of these kinds of reservoirs will add to the success of saving more water 💦 cheers 🥂

[@crazedgoldminner7384]

How many people are going to be put out of their lifelong homes and homesteads and I don't know we got too many people in California trying to use the same water and they're destroying the state by taking water and putting it where it doesn't belong

[@arcatacompany]

O, you did not hear the reporter, those ranchers who have lived there for generations actually take there cattle to a different state to graze and are happy to give up so much for the greater good of southern ca

[@crazedgoldminner7384]

@@arcatacompany I guess the media would like you to believe that that's everybody feels that way when they're maybe just one individual I can trust you if you have a homestead you don't feel that way

[@LAMB53087]

I grew up in Massachusetts. Right on the edge of the Quabin Reservoir. The Quabin is a marvel in planning and engineering. Built during the 1930's after the Great Depression, they evacuated several towns, built two huge earthen dams, and diverted a river to fill it. It is well over 400 billion gallons of water intended for drinking water for the Boston area almost 100 miles away. I hope this reservoir in Cal. becomes so successful.

[@thrummer1953]

The Depression didn't really abate until December 1941, and the advent of our entry into WW2. But they had great Public Works even during the Depression. Works that we enjoy even today.

[@bpisan]

You clearly have no idea of the scale of existing water projects in California…

[@LAMB53087]

@@bpisan Why do you say that?

[@johnalarcon6375]

About fucken time , it's only been over 25 years to get this thing finished

[@You-can-fix-it-yourself]

You don't need another reservoir, you need better water management. The gap between supply and demand exists due to corruption and mismanagement.

[@JustinBradleyPhotographer]

There was a time, very long ago, that one of the world's largest freshwater lakes was in California. That giant basin running through the center of California used to be full of water. When the natural Dam failed, the water rushing out to sea formed San Francisco Bay. I have been to some Native American ruins on the ridge of one of the mountains overlooking the basin, near Bear Valley Springs, and found so much evidence of year round rain and water in the now dry dusty desert. Personally I am confident that at the time the Native Americans lived there it was a lush forest of massive Oak Trees and wild life. It would have had to be to sustain what appeared to be a large enough community to justify grinding out a minimum of 8 grindstone holes. They must have been used for generations as the holes were deep. It makes me wonder if the lake draining forced them to migrate or if the local climate was still wet enough to sustain until the farmers arrived.

[@JustinBradleyPhotographer]

@Josh Eaton National Geographic, they referred to it as an inland sea. I suppose you are from Twitter? Possibly a bot? I don't know a real human on this planet that feels comfortable using the word "disinformation" we just call it lies or BS.

[@dudeonbike800]

Have you read "Cadillac Desert" or other germane works on water policy affecting Californians? Please provide your answer in reply to my comment above. I'm VERY curious to know how many commenters on water policy have done any "homework" on the subject. Thank you. I assume you're a "yes."

[@mrepix8287]

Dude nobody cares about your sob story we live in the real world not Avatar. We have 40 million people to sustain, not one tribal village lmao.

[@JustinBradleyPhotographer]

@@mrepix8287 What sob story? I did not add sorrow or any elements of it, you added that yourself.

[@photonjones5908]

That lake is known to geologists as Lake Corcoran and it drained to sea level about 400,000 years ago. long before humans arrived in North America, However, there was certainly lots of summertime rain not many thousand years ago, as well as permanent lakes in Nevada and in Death Valley that have dried up since the ice receded, 8,000 years ago. My guess is that 8 grindstone holes would not support a very large community, ,maybe a couple hundred at most.

[@kennethjohnson2967]

I like the way these projects are put into place , about 20 or 30 years behind when it's needed ! California , Nevada , Arizona , Utah , and even New Mexico should have been doing more to get fresh water here 20 years ago ! THE LITTLE PACIFIC PROJECT !

[@bartwilloughby2909]

Who’s been controlling California for the last three Decades?

[@keeganbrown9967]

FINALLY!! Another human being who has heard of the little Pacific project. Glad I'm not alone. 😅

[@svenvaltik5657]

@@bartwilloughby2909 Not a republican, thank god. They're notorious for underbudgeting projects and never getting anything actually done...

[@bartwilloughby2909]

@@svenvaltik5657 this money has been approved for this project for years now . Look at the oroville dam project and the Freeway between Santa Barbara and Ventura where the Democrats took the money and Deposited it in their accounts. This is just a couple of examples. Keep Drinking the Kool Aid .The latest Gas tax for road improvements that was nothing more than pay hikes for the California Democrats is another example.

[@dlazo32696]

@@svenvaltik5657 You’re delusional. Just look at the mess that is California these days. The state is run by democrats and barely anything gets built 😂 The California that everyone longs for is the one from the 1980s. You know, back when Republicans ran the state efficiently.

[@DarkPesco]

That Jerry Brown guy doesn't know the definition of teleport.

[@johnaden7473]

Ahh yes just in time for summer When there is no rain it will be ready Why weren’t we building more reservoirs years ago?! Instead of spending money on a high speed train that no one needs- We all need water - build more reservoirs

[@quality1789]

Good idea. Can't wait to see progress

[@KosherFinance]

In 50 years more 😂

[@Piggers71]

Don't hold your breath

[@thetrutha2177]

This 1 and 9 others were approved over 40 years ago and leftwingers what fought against it ever since. I'd be surprised if the break ground before I die.

[@twelvestitches984]

It's a horrible idea. How is it better to waste electricity to pump water from the Sacramento River, that we're not supposed to use anyway, to a far away place where there are no farms?

[@dudeonbike800]

Have you read "Cadillac Desert" or other germane works on water policy affecting Californians? Please provide your answer in reply to my comment above. I'm VERY curious to know how many commenters on water policy have done any "homework" on the subject. Thank you.

[@100bgeagle]

Hetch hetchey?? No too easy!!!! Save the smelt!!!

[@meatpopsicle1567]

For what?

[@thrummer1953]

He who smelted it, Deltaed it.

[@superior54]

Yes, we need more water.

[@raulofmustachio3d]

Hallelujah

[@austin.paradise]

San Fancisco under 50ft of water sounds great.

[@Standoffmuffin]

I love how long it takes for the government to solve a foreseeable problem 🙄

[@ronaldmcdonald3965]

ya, no kiddin'

[@soulfoodforthought9225]

It's not them...it's the ACTS of The G-D'S of Israel...We The People.

[@VIRGONOMICS]

Like 120 years or more

[@Neildo430ci]

Be patient. It takes careful planning to make money disappear.

[@referencefool6525]

🥸🌏🌋 Firebelt feeds ocean with CO2 and H2O.📤🌀 Water "breathes" CO2 depending 📈on seasonal temperature.🔥🌪

[@MrIsomer]

This reservoir should've been online 20 years ago...

[@onebridge7231]

The problem with not allowing the deltas to flood downstream just means faster beach erosion. Mother Nature always wins when you don’t work with her.

[@SADDLEHORN1A1]

Personally, LA under 50ft of water sounds like the proper course of action.

[@fauxque5057]

Some of the high rise buildings are well over 50' tall. That leaves a lot of space to save people. Can we knock the buildings down before the flood?

[@VIRGONOMICS]

Wow - it only took 100 years to figure this out .

[@Kay0Bot]

That's human civilization for ya

[@dayneholt4149]

Yeah we need it.

[@dmr6640]

Excellent start. Need more in SoCal to capture water there.

[@CeasarBergonia]

The farmers will change their tune when they find out that CA will only pay them 50 cent per acre, declaring eminent domain.

[@outwestexplorer7809]

They new about this in the 1950s and they're just now starting to get this project started.

[@willarddunn8552]

The politicians will drag their heels until they figure out a way they can put money in their pockets from this..

[@dudeonbike800]

This was one of the projects that ended up in the "cost/benefit loser" piles. That's why it wasn't built. Have you read "Cadillac Desert" or other germane works on water policy affecting Californians? Please provide your answer in reply to my comment above. I'm VERY curious to know how many commenters on water policy have done any "homework" on the subject. Thank you.

[@wymple09]

About time

[@carnakthemagnificent336]

Could have been filled over the past eight weeks - first envisioned in the 1950s. CA used to be decades ahead in water planning, now decades behind.

[@charkswitlazers]

Yeah, we need like 12 of these. If government actually spent time doing things government is meant for (like this), California wouldn’t have water issues, homeless issues, etc

[@airops9825]

Uh huh, they'd have no water or homeless issues...

[@Ry_Guy]

So where you getting the water from? Yeah, forgot about the water part huh?

[@charkswitlazers]

@@Ry_Guy from rivers that we allow to flow to the ocean, instead of storing. Forgot about that one too?

[@Nuttyirishman85]

The thousands flooding across our border weren’t planned for. People don’t realize how much effect it has on so many things.

[@hamburgler227]

William Clinton your math doesn’t seem to add up tho

[@jameschan9634]

so where do we get the water to fill it??