Drought in California – in pictures

As the severe drought continues for a third year, water levels in the state’s lakes and reservoirs are reaching historic lows

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
theguardian.com, Wednesday 20 August 2014 12.23 EDT

Bidwell Marina at Lake Oroville in Oroville, California which is currently at 32 percent of its total 3,537,577 acre feet — Bidwell Marina at Lake Oroville in Oroville, California, US, which is currently at 32% of its total 3,537,577 acre-feet capacity

The Green Bridge over full water levels in Lake Oroville in July 2011 compared with the same almost dry section now. — The Green Bridge over full water levels in Lake Oroville in July 2011 compared with the almost dry basin now. Photograph from 2011: Paul Hames/California Department of Water Resources

Full water levels at the Bidwell Marina at Lake Oroville in July 2011 compared with low levels now. — Full water levels at the Bidwell Marina at Lake Oroville in July 2011 (above, top) while now the water has receded into a narrow channel, exposing barren clay mounds. Photograph from 2011: Paul Hames/California Department of Water Resources

Rings are visible on the banks of Lake Oroville showing how the water has receded. — Rings visible on the banks of Lake Oroville show how the water has receded

Full water levels at the Bidwell Marina at Lake Oroville compared with much lower levels now. — Green and full of water, the Bidwell Marina at Lake Oroville in 2011 is now crammed into a rapidly shrinking lake. Photograph from 2011: Paul Hames/California Department of Water Resources

Boat docks at Browns Ravine sit on dry ground at Folsom Lake in El Dorado Hills, California. Folsom Lake is currently at 40 percent of its total capacity of 977,000 acre feet. — Boat docks at Browns Ravine sit on dry ground at Folsom Lake in El Dorado Hills, California. Folsom Lake is currently at 40% of its total capacity of 977,000 acre-feet

A boat is dwarfed by the steep banks of Lake Oroville. — A boat dwarfed by the steep banks of Lake Oroville

A stream of water trickles through a section of Lake Oroville that used to be under water. — A stream of water trickles through a section of Lake Oroville that used to be under water

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