Met with 50 farmers before rally who are disgruntled about the prioritization of endangered fish over water needed for their crops

Donald Trump told California voters Friday that he can solve their water crisis, declaring, 'There is no drought'.

During a rally in Fresno, California, Trump accused state officials of denying water to Central Valley farmers so they can send it out to sea 'to protect a certain kind of three-inch fish'.

He is referring to the three-inch Delta smelt, which is a native California fish on the brink of extinction.

California is in the fifth year of a severe drought. Last year capped the state's driest four-year period in its history, with record low rainfall and snow.

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Donald Trump told California voters Friday that he can solve their water crisis, declaring, 'There is no drought'

Trump accused state officials of denying water to Central Valley farmers so they can send it out to sea 'to protect a certain kind of three-inch fish'. Pictured, Folsom Lake at just 17 per cent of its capacity in 2014

California is in the fifth year of a severe drought. Last year capped the state's driest four-year period in its history, with record low rainfall and snow. Pictured, Lake Oroville in July 2011 (left) and 2014 (right)

In Fresno, Trump said he'd spent 30 minutes before his rally meeting with more than 50 farmers who complained to him about their struggles.

'We're going to solve your water problem. You have a water problem that is so insane. It is so ridiculous where they're taking the water and shoving it out to sea,' Trump said at the rally, which drew thousands.

'They don't understand — nobody understands it,' he said, declaring at one point: 'There is no drought. They turn the water out into the ocean.'

Although the State Water Board eased up on the emergency water conservation regulation earlier this month, more than 86 per cent of California is still plagued with moderate to exceptional drought conditions, which have persisted for five years.

Trump aligned himself with farmers who criticized the federal government for its 'despicable' practices and requested water from the Sacramento River to be diverted to them.

Although the State Water Board eased up on the emergency water conservation regulation earlier this month, more than 86 per cent of California is still plagued with moderate to exceptional drought conditions

In Fresno, Trump said he'd spent 30 minutes before his rally meeting with more than 50 farmers who complained to him about their struggles (pictured, Folsom Lake in 2011, left, and 2014, right)

They believe federal efforts are prioritizing endangered fish like the delta smelt, over farmers who need water for crops (pictured, Lake Oroville in 2011, left, and 2014, right)

Politically influential rural water districts and well-off corporate farmers in and around California's Central Valley have been pushing back against longstanding federal laws protecting endangered fish and other species.

They believe federal efforts are prioritizing endangered fish like the delta smelt, over farmers who need water for crops.

The three-inch Delta smelt has become an emblem in the state's battles over environmental laws and water distribution.

The farm lobby, a heavyweight player in California's water wars, also is seeking federal and state approval for billions of dollars in new water tunnels, dams and other projects.

Trump promised that, if he's elected, he would put their interests first. 'If I win, believe me, we're going to start opening up the water so that you can have your farmers survive,' he said.

Trump (pictured on Friday) promised that, if he's elected, he would put their interests first. 'If I win, believe me, we're going to start opening up the water so that you can have your farmers survive,' he said

About a thousand Trump protesters demonstrated outside San Diego's convention center and clashed with his supporters as the left

California is the country's No. 1 agriculture producer. The state's drought is raising the stakes in water disputes among farmers, cities and towns, and environmental interests.

The comments came a day after Trump outlined an energy policy plan that relies heavily on expanding fossil fuel exploration and reducing environmental regulations.

He held a pair of rallies Friday in Fresno and San Diego as he closed a campaign swing through the west, drawing vocal crowds of protesters, many carrying signs critical of Trump's plan to wall off the border with Mexico.