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News Release 16-038

California drought patterns becoming more common

Atmospheric patterns linked with drought occurred more frequently in recent decades

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Trinity Lake dried out

California's Trinity Lake is a mere shadow of its former self, since drought arrived.

Credit: USGS


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The drought that crippled California is by some measures the worst in the state's history.

The drought that crippled California is by some measures the worst in the state's history.

Credit: NOAA


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Cracked, dry earth

Cracked, dry earth is common throughout California's drying waterways and reservoirs.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons


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Tuolumne River and its dry riverbed

Drought has drained California's Tuolumne River, leaving riverbed where there was water.

Credit: USGS


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satellite image of California's coast and mountains

Large, fast-moving wildfires have sparked in Northern and Southern California during the drought.

Credit: NASA


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View from the International Space Station in January 2014 showing no snow in California's mountains

View from the International Space Station in January 2014: No snow on California's mountains.

Credit: NASA


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