Less water heading to Central Valley farmers not only means billions of dollars lost in economic activity, but also the loss of thousands of jobs and more public health risks. Westlands Water District delved into those findings in its 2025 Economic Impact Report, which was released on Wednesday, reviewing the latest available data up to 2022. … While the conclusion may be an obvious one, the report honed in on how when water flows, the Central Valley thrives. When water allocations are light, the Valley struggles. … Along with the direct economic losses, the report also found that decreased water availability led to more bird strikes at Naval Air Station Lemoore due to an increase in fallowed farmland. 

Other Westlands news:

• ABC30 (Fresno, Calif.): Less water, more problems: Westlands’ study
• Westlands Water District: News release: Westlands Water District Board votes to adopt Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan