Legislation to prevent the unnecessary and harmful discharge of California water from reservoirs under false pretenses was introduced by Assemblymember Diane Papan, D-San Mateo. Assembly Bill 1146 would prohibit the release of California’s stored water if it is carried out under knowingly false or fraudulent representations regarding the purpose or intended use of the water. … In January 2025, the ordered release of more than 2 billion gallons of California water from reservoirs was widely criticized as unnecessary and disruptive to the state’s delicate water storage system. Experts have warned that such politically motivated decisions could have devastating consequences, including increased flood risks and water shortages during critical dry periods.