California does not have a water shortage problem . It has a water management problem. The Central Valley wetlands where the Sacramento and San Juaquin Rivers pass to the Pacific is rich in water . It is called the 'bread basket of the world' for it's abundance of water and the Mediterranean climate that promotes a diverse agricultural economy.
Much of the rest of the state would be left to a desert environment if not for the diversion of water from north California to the south. Back in the day when California leaders had brains , water ways canals levees were built to bring water to the parts of the state that needed it. But there is not enough and much of the fresh water runs out to sea.
Envirowackos have for years thrown monkey wrenches at efforts to divert water . My favorite one is the protection of a bait fish ;the Delta Smelt a non-indigenous fish to the region that unfortunately have a habit of getting sucked into irrigation pumps .
Way back in Genesis Joseph taught us to store during times of abundance so we would have when we needed resources. Right now California is experiencing a time of plenty of water . Existing reservoirs are full. That is not always the case. There were 2 severe droughts in the last decade.
For a long time a tunnel has been proposed that would divert water from the Delta to areas of need. The usual suspected have opposed and blocked the project.
But now it appears that Newsom's administration will green light the project despite enviirowacko's opposition.
Department of Water Resources Approves Delta Conveyance Project (ca.gov)
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State officials said had this tunnel existed during (last year's) storms, the state could have captured and stored enough water for 2.3 million people to use for one year."
California Gov. Gavin Newsom advances water tunnel project amid opposition from environmental groups | AP News
So giving credit where credit is due .... bravo !!!