... imagine irrigating the entire desert for agriculture!
There are so many projects in California that have been delayed / stopped for ENVIRONMENTAL reasons that you couldn't even keep track. Mice, sand flies, fish and plants all need their EXTENSIVE space and thus your idea dies before it is born. California is not the birthplace of "Not In My Backyard" (NIMBY) but it is close to the grand exemplar!
“Dream on - you are already behind the eight-ball?”
Excuse me, where do you live?