Congressman Fong Celebrates Major Milestone in Lake Success Enlargement Project

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. – Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) joined local leaders to celebrate a critical milestone in the Lake Success Enlargement Project, a transformative infrastructure initiative nearly 30 years in the making.

“Water in the Central Valley isn’t just about irrigation – it’s about life,” said Congressman Fong. “My district in the heart of the Central Valley is not only one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world but is home to generations of hardworking families who know the value of water better than anyone. This historic project completion symbolizes decades of dedication to protecting our community by strengthening our resilience and investing in a more secure future, providing the Central Valley with the tools it needs to thrive amid growing demands for water.”

On Background: 

The Lake Success Enlargement Project, spearheaded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the Lower Tule River Irrigation District, Tulare County, and Congress, is a long-anticipated solution to two of the Central Valley’s greatest challenges: water reliability and flood protection.

Located in California’s 20th Congressional District, this infrastructure upgrade raises the capacity of Lake Success by 10 feet and constructs a new controlled spillway. These improvements will more than double flood protection for downstream communities, safeguarding lives, homes, and infrastructure from future severe storm events.

In addition to flood protection, the project will create 28,000 acre-feet of new water storage — equivalent to 9.1 billion gallons — expanding water availability for over 400,000 acres of farmland. This added capacity ensures more dependable water access for agricultural operations, cities, and environmental conservation, particularly during drought years.