The water level of Folsom Lake drops significantly due to dry weather on May 10, 2021 in Granite Bay, California, USA. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday (May 10) extended the drought emergency declaration to 39 counties as the drought continues in California. Folsom Lake currently holds only 38 percent of its water.
The California drought emergency declaration now covers 41 of the 58 counties, or 30 percent of California’s population of nearly 40 million. The U.S. Drought Monitor (U.S. Drought Monitor) agency reports that much of California is in drought, and the western United States is in a severe drought just a few years after California faced years of drought.
The California government says unusually high temperatures in April and early May this year caused snow in the Sierra Nevada to melt rapidly and flow into the Sacramento River, which in turn supplies the state’s summer water supply. But much of the melting snow is seeping into the ground instead of flowing into rivers and reservoirs, worsening the drought problem.
On May 10, Folsom Lake’s water level dropped significantly due to the prolonged drought. In the area of Granite Bay, part of the drought-stricken bottom of Folsom Lake can be seen exposed, and concrete structures originally located underwater have surfaced. Tourists are running around the dry area and some vehicles are parked on the drought exposed bottom of the lake. El Dorado Hills (El Dorado Hills) area, adjacent to the shore of Folsom Lake boat dock because of the severe drought has no water, the dock was located under the soil directly exposed, can not travel, many small boats can only be temporarily stranded in other areas.
The state of California says warmer temperatures this year are also causing water users to draw more water quickly, exposing farmers, fish and wildlife to even more severe water shortages.
People park their cars on the drought-stricken bottom of Folsom Lake in Granite Bay, California, U.S., May 10, 2021, as part of the lake bottom is exposed due to the drought. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
May 10, 2021 – A lifeguard’s lookout is left unmanned as part of the bottom of Folsom Lake is exposed due to the drought in Granite Bay, California, USA. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
May 10, 2021 – Granite Bay, California, USA – Part of the bottom of Folsom Lake is exposed due to the drought, with clear tracks of vehicles in the sand. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
A concrete structure that was originally underwater at Folsom Lake is exposed due to the drought in Granite Bay, California, U.S., May 10, 2021. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
A tourist runs on the drought-stricken bottom of Folsom Lake on May 10, 2021, in Granite Bay, California, U.S. The drought has left part of the bottom of Folsom Lake exposed. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The water level of Folsom Lake drops and the marina area is drought-free due to the drought in El Dorado Hills, California, U.S., May 10, 2021. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The water level of Folsom Lake drops and the marina area is drought-free due to the drought in El Dorado Hills, California, U.S., May 10, 2021. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The water level of Folsom Lake drops and the marina area is drought-free due to the drought in El Dorado Hills, California, U.S., May 10, 2021. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The water level of Folsom Lake drops and the marina area is drought-free due to the drought in El Dorado Hills, California, U.S., May 10, 2021. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The water level of Folsom Lake drops and the marina area is drought-free due to the drought in El Dorado Hills, California, U.S., May 10, 2021. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The water level of Folsom Lake drops and the marina area is drought-free due to the drought in El Dorado Hills, California, U.S., May 10, 2021. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The soil beneath the marina area is dry and cracked as the water level in Folsom Lake drops due to the drought in El Dorado Hills, California, U.S., May 10, 2021. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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