Satellite images taken over the past several weeks show a dramatic resurrection of Tulare Lake in California’s Central Valley and the flooding that could remain for as long as two years across previously arid farmland. The satellite imagery, provided by the Earth imaging company Planet Labs, show the transition from a dry basin to a wide and deep lake running about ten miles from bank to bank on land used to grow almonds, tomatoes, cotton and other crops. Scientists warn the flooding will worsen as historically huge snowpack from the Sierra Nevada melts and sends more water into the basin. This week, a heat wave could prompt widespread snow melt in the mountains and threaten the small farming communities already dealing with the resurrected Tulare Lake.

Related articles: 

• CBS – Bay Area: State officials not expecting further flooding in Tulare Lake Basin
• SF Gate: Tahoe area put on flood watch this weekend as snowpack melts
• USA Today: ‘The Big Melt’ - California braces for flooding as heat wave takes aim at state
• Weather West: “The Big Melt” has arrived as early season heatwave spikes flood concerns; Cut-off low to bring cooling trend but also possibly thunderstorm outbreak next week
• Insurance Journal: California Community Braces for Floods as Epic Snow Melts