‘Devastating’: California had record rainfall last year, but lacked infrastructure to store it

California is currently facing a crisis as firefighters battle brutal fires across Los Angeles with scarce resources. While the state does not have a water shortage, the outdated water reserves system is proving to be a major challenge in managing the wildfires that have threatened thousands of lives, homes, land, and wildlife.

Critics, including Edward Ring, the director of water and energy policy for the California Policy Center think-tank, argue that political mismanagement is to blame for the current situation. Ring believes that the primary issues lie in the state’s handling of forestry management and the environmental policies that prioritize protecting endangered fish species over water storage.

The existing reservoirs in California were built in the mid-20th century and are struggling to manage sudden influxes of water, as seen during record-breaking rainfall last year. However, a significant portion of that water was dumped into the ocean due to infrastructure limitations. Additionally, environmental regulations like the Endangered Species Act restrict the amount of water that can be diverted for storage, further exacerbating the problem.

The situation is further complicated in urban areas like Los Angeles, where drainage systems designed for flood prevention channel stormwater directly into the ocean instead of storing it. Ring points out that the neglect of water infrastructure in Los Angeles, coupled with rationing and water conservation efforts, has led to a system that is not as robust as needed to combat the wildfires.

Despite the passage of Proposition 1 in 2014, which authorized funding for new reservoirs and groundwater storage facilities, no new reservoirs have been completed as of January 2025. This lack of action has left California vulnerable to water-related crises, such as the devastating wildfires currently ravaging the state.

As the Eaton Fire near Altadena and Pasadena continues to grow, reaching over 27,000 acres, Governor Gavin Newsom’s spokesperson emphasized the administration’s focus on protecting people and providing firefighters with the necessary resources. However, the ongoing challenges faced by California highlight the urgent need for proactive measures to address the state’s water infrastructure issues and prevent future disasters.