Central Valley Farmers Urge Trump to Expand Shasta Dam

Farmers seek federal funding to raise dam height, increase water storage capacity

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A coalition of Central Valley farmers has sent a letter to President Trump, urging him to revive a long-stalled plan to raise the height of the Shasta Dam. The farmers argue that increasing the dam's storage capacity by 18.5 feet would provide much-needed water supply reliability during droughts. They are asking Trump to fund the $1.4 to $2 billion project through his 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' budget. However, state officials, tribes, and environmental groups have opposed the plan, arguing it would threaten the McCloud River's ecosystem and wildlife.

Why it matters

The Shasta Dam raise has been a contentious issue for years, pitting the water needs of Central Valley farmers against environmental concerns. With California facing increasingly severe droughts, the farmers see expanding the dam as crucial to stabilizing their water supply. But opponents argue the project would violate state laws protecting the McCloud River's natural flow and wildlife.

The details

The letter from Central Valley farmers follows previous requests by local water agencies, state Republican lawmakers, and water contractors for Trump to fund the Shasta Dam raise project through his 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' budget. Supporters argue the project would create significant new storage capacity and increase water supply reliability during droughts. However, the proposal has faced legal challenges, with environmental groups and the California Attorney General successfully suing to block the project in 2019 over concerns it would damage the McCloud River ecosystem.

  • In 2019, the Shasta Dam raise proposal stalled after environmental groups and the California Attorney General sued Westlands Water District, which had agreed to partner on the project.
  • In late 2019, Westlands Water District withdrew from the Shasta Dam raise project as part of a settlement with the state.

The players

Central Valley Farmers

A coalition of farmers in California's Central Valley region who are urging President Trump to fund the Shasta Dam raise project.

President Trump

The current President of the United States, who the Central Valley farmers are appealing to for federal funding to expand the Shasta Dam.

Westlands Water District

A local water agency in California that had previously agreed to partner on the Shasta Dam raise project, but withdrew after being sued by environmental groups and the state Attorney General.

California Attorney General

The state's top law enforcement official who successfully sued Westlands Water District in 2019 over the Shasta Dam raise proposal, arguing it would violate state laws protecting the McCloud River.

Environmental Groups

Organizations that have opposed the Shasta Dam raise project, contending it would threaten the McCloud River's ecosystem and wildlife.

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What they’re saying

“This unlawful project would have hurt the McCloud River, and the communities and species that depend on it.”

— Xavier Becerra, California Attorney General (fresnobee.com)

What’s next

The Trump administration will need to decide whether to include funding for the Shasta Dam raise project in its 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' budget proposal.

The takeaway

The long-running dispute over the Shasta Dam raise highlights the tension between the water needs of Central Valley agriculture and the environmental concerns over protecting sensitive river ecosystems. The outcome will have significant implications for water supply reliability in California's drought-prone regions.