Water-level lines, unveiled by years of drought, are seen on the rocks of the Elephant Butte Reservoir in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, on July 9.
Photos: The West's historic drought
Water-level lines, unveiled by years of drought, are seen on the rocks of the Elephant Butte Reservoir in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, on July 9.
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Cattle graze as the Tamarack Fire burns near the California-Nevada border on July 17.
Photos: The West's historic drought
Cattle graze as the Tamarack Fire burns near the California-Nevada border on July 17.
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These peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, near Lone Pine, California, often have snow packs that last throughout the summer months. But there were none on July 18.
Photos: The West's historic drought
These peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, near Lone Pine, California, often have snow packs that last throughout the summer months. But there were none on July 18.
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Cattle graze as the Tamarack Fire burns in Markleeville, California, on July 17.
Photos: The West's historic drought
Cattle graze as the Tamarack Fire burns in Markleeville, California, on July 17.
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Dead carp fish rot in the remaining water of a drying Little Washoe Lake in Nevada.
Photos: The West's historic drought
Dead carp fish rot in the remaining water of a drying Little Washoe Lake in Nevada.
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The Bootleg Fire illuminates smoke at night near Bly, Oregon.
Photos: The West's historic drought
The Bootleg Fire illuminates smoke at night near Bly, Oregon.</