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| Houseboats on a shrinking Lake Oroville |
They estimate that 88% of the western states are experiencing drought. Four states are under extreme drought conditions which are expected to get even worse. The entirety of four states -- California, Oregon, Utah and Nevada -- have drought conditions. The situation is dire as ponds, streams and wells dry up and cattle go thirsty just as summer is approaching. The fire situation is expected to bring a new level of tragic loss to the region. The Storm Prediction Center's fire weather outlook was classified as "critical" or "extreme" across parts of Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and Arizona.
Lake Mead, the country's largest reservoir, is at its lowest level since it was filled and electricity production at the Hoover dam is down by 25%. The Colorado River which supplies over 40 million people will deliver 30% less water this year. About 130 houseboats have been removed from a shrinking Lake Oroville in California.
Las Vegas, home to 2.2 million people, gets just 4 inches of rain a year. That's unsustainable. Having lawns is being made illegal in some places. Utahns are being asked to pray for rain while farmers are being asked not to grow. Some are predicting a megadrought that will last many decades. God help the USA.
They haven't really measured the extent of damage the last season did to the vineyards. This coming season can do nothing but add to the injury.
I have said since we moved to Ireland, thank God for being on an island in the Atlantic. I am grateful for every drop of rain we get.
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| Lake Oroville Dam before the drought |
