Inmates at a state prison in Vacaville, California, install a drought-tolerant garden in October. The garden will be watered using reclaimed water from the prison's kitchen. California is entering its fifth year of severe drought.
Inmates at a state prison in Vacaville, California, install a drought-tolerant garden in October. The garden will be watered using reclaimed water from the prison's kitchen. California is entering its fifth year of severe drought.
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California State Assemblyman Devon Mathis speaks to members of the media after he helped secure a donation of 100,000 water bottles in September. More than 300 homes in Porterville, California, were out of running water because of dried-up wells.
California State Assemblyman Devon Mathis speaks to members of the media after he helped secure a donation of 100,000 water bottles in September. More than 300 homes in Porterville, California, were out of running water because of dried-up wells.
JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images
Evacuee James Logan embraces his wife, Lisa, as they listen to an update about a wildfire in Clearlake Oakes, California, in August. Drought conditions have fueled numerous wildfires across the state.
Evacuee James Logan embraces his wife, Lisa, as they listen to an update about a wildfire in Clearlake Oakes, California, in August. Drought conditions have fueled numerous wildfires across the state.
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Firefighters hike down a hill in Clearlake, California, as they mop up hot spots from the Rocky Fire in August.
Firefighters hike down a hill in Clearlake, California, as they mop up hot spots from the Rocky Fire in August.
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A golfer in San Francisco hits a shot in July. After Gov. Jerry Brown ordered a statewide water-use reduction of 25%, golf courses have been struggling to keep their fairways and greens watered.
A golfer in San Francisco hits a shot in July. After Gov. Jerry Brown ordered a statewide water-use reduction of 25%, golf courses have been struggling to keep their fairways and greens watered.
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People picnic in July on the sandy bottom of Mirror Lake, which is normally covered with water at Yosemite National Park.
People picnic in July on the sandy bottom of Mirror Lake, which is normally covered with water at Yosemite National Park.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
A man applies green paint to a brown lawn in Novato, California, in May.
A man applies green paint to a brown lawn in Novato, California, in May.
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A close-up of the dry Guadalupe Creek, as seen in San Jose, California, in April.
A close-up of the dry Guadalupe Creek, as seen in San Jose, California, in April.
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Workers install artificial grass at a home in Burlingame, California, in April.
Workers install artificial grass at a home in Burlingame, California, in April.
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Motorists in Rancho Cordova, California, pass a sign in April reminding them to reduce water use.
Motorists in Rancho Cordova, California, pass a sign in April reminding them to reduce water use.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP
A woman in Sequoia National Park looks up at barren terrain typically populated by skiers in April.
A woman in Sequoia National Park looks up at barren terrain typically populated by skiers in April.
Brian Melley/AP
California Gov. Jerry Brown, right, walks with Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program for the Department of Water Resources, near Echo Summit, California, in April. Gehrke said this was the first time since he has been conducting the survey that he found no snow at that location at that time of the year.
California Gov. Jerry Brown, right, walks with Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program for the Department of Water Resources, near Echo Summit, California, in April. Gehrke said this was the first time since he has been conducting the survey that he found no snow at that location at that time of the year.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP
People hike along a ridge overlooking the Griffith Observatory, where vegetation was drying out in Los Angeles in March 2015.
People hike along a ridge overlooking the Griffith Observatory, where vegetation was drying out in Los Angeles in March 2015.
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In March 2015, a power boat sits on a Lake McClure parking lot that used to be underwater in La Grange, California.
In March 2015, a power boat sits on a Lake McClure parking lot that used to be underwater in La Grange, California.
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Low water is seen at the dam of Lake Success, near East Porterville, California, in February 2015.
Low water is seen at the dam of Lake Success, near East Porterville, California, in February 2015.
David McNew/Getty Images
This picture taken from a helicopter shows a drought-affected area near Los Altos Hills, California, in July 2014.
This picture taken from a helicopter shows a drought-affected area near Los Altos Hills, California, in July 2014.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
A woman walks her dog in San Francisco in July 2014.
A woman walks her dog in San Francisco in July 2014.
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A worker washes the sidewalk in front of a San Francisco hotel in July 2014.
A worker washes the sidewalk in front of a San Francisco hotel in July 2014.
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In June 2014, a pedestrian walks by a sign posted in front of the lawn at the California State Capitol in Sacramento.
In June 2014, a pedestrian walks by a sign posted in front of the lawn at the California State Capitol in Sacramento.
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Residents photograph the burning ruins of their home, which was destroyed in a wildfire in Carlsbad, California, in May 2014.
Residents photograph the burning ruins of their home, which was destroyed in a wildfire in Carlsbad, California, in May 2014.
David McNew/Getty Images
Volunteers pack bags of oatmeal at a San Francisco food bank in May 2014. The longstanding drought has contributed to an increase in food prices.
Volunteers pack bags of oatmeal at a San Francisco food bank in May 2014. The longstanding drought has contributed to an increase in food prices.
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Fingerling Chinook salmon are dumped into a holding pen as they are transferred from a truck into the Sacramento River in March 2014. Low water levels forced wildlife officials to truck more than 400,000 fish nearly 300 miles. They usually make the trip on their own.
Fingerling Chinook salmon are dumped into a holding pen as they are transferred from a truck into the Sacramento River in March 2014. Low water levels forced wildlife officials to truck more than 400,000 fish nearly 300 miles. They usually make the trip on their own.
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A tractor plows a field in Firebaugh, California, in February 2014. Almond farmer Barry Baker had 1,000 acres -- 20% -- of his almond trees removed because he didn't have access to enough water to keep them alive.
A tractor plows a field in Firebaugh, California, in February 2014. Almond farmer Barry Baker had 1,000 acres -- 20% -- of his almond trees removed because he didn't have access to enough water to keep them alive.
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Plumbing technician Todd Snider installs an aerator at a home in Novato in February 2014. Californians have been installing water-saving devices in their homes to reduce consumption.
Plumbing technician Todd Snider installs an aerator at a home in Novato in February 2014. Californians have been installing water-saving devices in their homes to reduce consumption.
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A worker installs an artificial lawn in front of an apartment building in San Jose in January 2014.
A worker installs an artificial lawn in front of an apartment building in San Jose in January 2014.
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A car sits at the bottom of the Almaden Reservoir in San Jose in January 2014.
A car sits at the bottom of the Almaden Reservoir in San Jose in January 2014.
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Rocky shores are exposed by the low waters of Morris Reservoir, on the San Gabriel River near Azusa, California, in January 2014.
Rocky shores are exposed by the low waters of Morris Reservoir, on the San Gabriel River near Azusa, California, in January 2014.
David McNew/Getty Images
During a news conference in San Francisco in January 2014, Gov. Jerry Brown holds a chart showing the statewide average precipitation. The governor <a >declared a drought emergency</a> for the state, saying it faced "perhaps the worst drought that California has ever seen since records (began) about 100 years ago."
During a news conference in San Francisco in January 2014, Gov. Jerry Brown holds a chart showing the statewide average precipitation. The governor declared a drought emergency for the state, saying it faced "perhaps the worst drought that California has ever seen since records (began) about 100 years ago."
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