US state of California
Dried out 80 years ago: Massive rain could refill Tulare Lake
Flooded farmland in Tulare County, California: With the help of the authorities, the water could refill Lake Tulare
© Patrick T. Fallon / AFP
In California, which is actually known for its constant sunshine, it has been raining unusually heavily for weeks. In order to divert the enormous amounts of water, the authorities now want to flood a lake that has long dried up.
Because of the heavy rainfall in the US state of California, a lake that dried up around 80 years ago could get water again. Authorities in the Sacramento area announced on Tuesday that they intend to divert water from a nearby river into the dry bed of Lake Tulare. They referred to the immense water masses in the Kings River as justification.
Heavy rains in California
Lake Tulare was formerly one of the largest freshwater lakes in the western United States. However, with the development of agriculture and the diversion of rivers, its water level gradually declined. In the middle of the last century it dried up completely and also became agricultural land.
In California, which is actually known for its permanent sunshine, unusually heavy rainfall has been falling for weeks. Floods and landslides occur again and again in various places on the west coast state; the state’s all-time rain record could fall, according to the weather service.