Ok. I did that, and found this article:
Why doesn't California build big dams
First reason is lack of location. They say that there are already 1400 dams in CA.
Second isEnviro regs such as endangered species(Nixon) and CWA(Nixon) and California Environmental Quality Act signed by Reagan in 1968.
Third is financing. Because of Prop 13(Reagan), it is very hard to raise state money for dams. Plus, Prez Reagan changed the law and reduced the amount of federal money that could go to a state to build a dam.
ALL good ideas by Reagan because they forced the State or entity to work within the FREE ENTERPRISE system and NOT count on the Federal Government to subsidize its needs.
To your first point, the article says ‘nearly’ all the good dam sites are used...not all.
To your second point - excessive environmental regulation is precisely the problem.
To your third point- Hurray!!! I would love to live in the great California weather, with the great views and beaches...but I can’t afford it. So I certainly don’t want my federal tax dollars going to fix all of California’s water problems. Other states seem to be able to work within the current funding parameters...so why is it an excuse for California?
Again, there are at least a half dozen serious, large scale dam projects planned in California. And the people need water. Why don’t they build big dams? A lack of will. And common sense among the political leadership - this is the same state (and federal government) that desperately wants to build an unnecessary rail system for $billions, instead of spending those same $billions to fix their water woes. And that’s my original point - civilizations used to be smart enough to build dams, while our modern culture shuns them...we are becoming an idiocracy.