California’s largest reservoir, Lake Shasta, is officially at full capacity for the second year in a row. This feat comes after years of drought, which saw the lake nowhere near full.

The images were shared by the NASA Earth Observatory. The photos were taken by the Landsat 8 satellite on May 7, 2024.

The earlier satellite image—taken on April 22, 2022—shows Lake Shasta at 39% capacity.

In these satellite photos, you can clearly see a “bathtub ring” around the edges of the lake, indicating where the water used to hit when it was full. Now, in 2024, you can no longer see this ring, as the lake is at full capacity.

However, the drought experienced in 2022 brought massive concerns to light, as Lake Shasta only reached a maximum of 40% capacity throughout the year.

Located in Shasta Country in the northern Sacramento Valley, the lake provides water to thousands of people, and without it, Shasta County would unquestionably experience an intense water shortage.

So, when the state was experiencing a drought in 2022, and Lake Shasta was at such a low capacity, many California officials publicly sounded the alarm.

The end of 2023 and 2024 has also seen high levels of rain, which has allowed Lake Shasta to remain full, as seen in these NASA satellite images.

NASA’s Earth Observatory has stated that Lake Oroville is actually at 128% of its average capacity this year.

Even this last winter period didn’t see as much rainfall as seen in 2023 in the state. However, since Lake Shasta was already relatively full, it didn’t take as much rain to finally reach that full capacity.

The state has a huge population. If another drought occurs, then the state may have to make drastic changes to help try to conserve as much water as possible.

As a result, many water projects are being considered or are already in the works. For example, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration recently revealed a $20 billion water tunnel project that would help the state manage water more effectively. 

Additionally, many worry that Gov. Newsom’s plan is simply far too expensive. Not only will it cost nearly $20 billion to build, but experts estimate that it will cost the state an additional 600 million a year to run.

These include advanced rainwater harvesting techniques and improved groundwater management practices aimed at mitigating the impact of potential future droughts.

These initiatives, such as the “Save Our Water” campaign, stress the importance of sustainable water use, even in times of abundance, to ensure long-term water security for the state.

This could lead to more prolonged droughts, which will consistently harm the state’s water supplies.

California has always struggled with exceptionally dry periods, but as the planet’s oceans and air warm, precipitation will decrease even more significantly. Additionally, warm weather means less snow, which many counties across the state use to for water every spring.

The restored water levels have encouraged the return of several fish species and improved habitat conditions, providing a much-needed refuge for migrating birds and native wildlife.

These programs would aim to restore and preserve habitats that were significantly affected during the drought years.

This is crucial for the state, which produces over a third of the nation’s vegetables and two-thirds of its fruits and nuts.

Hotels, restaurants, and recreational facilities report increased activity as tourists flock to the area for boating, fishing, and hiking. This resurgence is a welcome change, supporting jobs and community development.

Doyle said, “It’s amazing for the economy, and we haven’t seen it in four years. So this is kind of a bolster on the economy, the local economy, as well as just people getting out and having fun.”

The Shasta Powerplant, located just below the dam, can generate 710,000 kilowatts of sustainable energy when operating at full capacity. That’s enough power for between 355,00 and 710,000 homes.

This increase in production helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promotes cleaner energy, which California has made a top priority over the past several years. 

This plan includes enhancing reservoir capacity like that of Lake Shasta to buffer against water scarcity during unexpected drought periods.

These tools help manage water resources more efficiently, ensuring that the reservoir can meet both ecological and human needs without wastage.

IoT sensors and machine learning models can now monitor water quality and usage in real-time, ensuring optimal distribution and conservation across reservoirs.

In 2023, the Golden State became the second US state to allow the purification of wastewater to be reused as tap water. This system has proven wildly successful in Texas, Arizona, and Colorado, each of which struggles with drought.

The Colorado River, which runs for more than 1400 miles and provides water to seven different states, has wildly diminished and is now in critical condition. If the situation gets any worse, millions of people across the Southwest will be experiencing water shortages within the next several years.

Egypt, Iraq, India, Bolivia, Chile, Spain, and many others are experiencing incredible water stress. While some are working tirelessly to ensure the next generation has ample drinking water, other countries are struggling to find solutions.

This comparison highlights the crucial role that effective water management plays in preserving our freshwater ecosystems. It is a wake-up call for governments and communities around the world to take action towards sustainable water use and conservation.

One study shows that London, UK, Cape Town, South Africa, Phoenix, Arizona, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and dozens more could all experience extreme water scarcity in less than 25 years.

Because of its immense population, topography and geographic location, and its thousands of miles of farmland, the vast majority of the state could experience a water crisis in the next 25 years. Specifically, experts worry that the metropolises of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego will fare the worst.

However, the California government has made no such threat. For now, water is still considered a human right and will be available to ass residents, though it may be regulated in the very near future.

As California continues to face challenges related to climate change and resource management, collaboration and innovation will be key in finding sustainable solutions for the state’s economy and environment.

However, it will be a long and uphill battle for California, many other states, and countries around the world. Water is an absolute necessity, and if they don’t fix things fast, the world could experience a water shortage as it has never been seen before.