Are The Lakes Drying Up In California? A Troubling Trend.

The issue of subsidence is a growing concern across California, with its most severe impact being felt in the vicinity of Tulare Lake, located approximately 200 miles to the north of Los Angeles. Over the past half-century, certain cities near the lake’s basin have experienced alarming levels of land sinking, with measurements reaching depths of up to 11 feet by March 30, 2023. This subsidence crisis is particularly concerning as it poses a significant threat to the region’s environmental stability, water resources, and infrastructure. The lake in question, Tulare Lake, is the focal point of this concerning phenomenon, and its gradual drying up is a pivotal aspect of the issue, with far-reaching consequences for California’s communities and ecosystems.

Are the lakes in California experiencing significant water level increases? As of mid-June, the Sierra Nevada snowpack remains well above its typical levels, and this surplus is anticipated to contribute to further lake filling as the snow continues to melt. To illustrate this, we can compare two images from NASA: the first one captured on November 18, 2022, depicting Lake Shasta at a mere 31% of its total capacity, and the second taken on May 29, 2023, revealing the lake’s remarkable recovery to 98% of its capacity. This data was last updated on June 21, 2023, suggesting that California’s lakes have witnessed substantial replenishment due to the prolonged snowpack melting in the Sierra Nevada region.