The following photos were taken in July 2002 at Lake Dillon in Frisco, Colorado. This lake is about 50 miles west of Denver, and serves as a major water source for this metropolis. According to locals working at the marina, the drought in this specific area has lasted only one year! The lack of snow during the winter, and low rainfall this spring, has led to the lake not being replenished. Meanwhile, Denver continues to "suck the water up" like there's no tomorrow.
Click on each thumbnail to see a full-sized picture.
The boat launch at Lake Dillon in Frisco, CO. Note the dry land behind the sign.
A shot of the docks at the boat ramp. Notice the attempt to dredge out around the docks.
Another shot of the docks. It's about a half-mile from the dock to the nearest edge of the lake. On this and the previous picture, please notice the bank on the far side of the lake, and you can see how high the water should be, and how high it is now.
So many boats, so little water....
At extreme range for my telephoto lens: several bicyclists are traveling on the lake bottom. The soil was dry and firm, they had no trouble moving about.
Another shot of where the water OUGHT to be. Would-be boaters have to drive their trailers about a half-mile over the dry lakebed to reach the edge of the water.