While Oceans Rise, Lake Levels Sink

In addition to the much more dire consequences of the California drought, lake sailing has suffered. This boat languishes behind a wall of dead trees in Lake Isabella, located east of Bakersfield. The man-made lake has dwindled to a fraction of its normal capacity, exposing groves of dead trees that are normally deep underwater. With only small portions of the lake usable for boats (and not enough water in the Kern River for the area’s popular whitewater rafting trips), the local economy has been suffering. Like Californians elsewhere, locals are praying that El Niño will bring relief.