

The Almaden Reservoir, near San Jose, was full of water on March 14 after four straight days of rain. The downpour has replenished several key reservoirs in drought-stricken California. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

California is still in a drought. But there are some dramatic signs of improvement -- especially if you look at some of the state’s most important reservoirs. Months of rain and snow in the Sierra region have done much to replenish the reservoirs, which are a key source water for the state.

Now, officials are increasing releases of water from the lakes.

Here are some images of what’s going on:


Lake Folsom

Here are some dramatic photos of how much water Lake Folsom has gained in recent months. The lake was dangerously dry a year ago but has seen an impressive revival.

Folsom Lake from top to bottom: November 6 2015, February 6 2016, and March 23 2016 #cawx #cadrought pic.twitter.com/l1J2VcyytN— Courtney Obergfell (@ceober4) March 23, 2016

#ShastaLake at 100% of historic average. #FolsomLake releasing water for flood control. #ElNino. pic.twitter.com/w0iUfGisuR— KenWayne (@KenWayneKTVU) March 21, 2016

Glad 2 see flood gates open at #folsom lake. Haven’t seen them open in 3+ yrs! #rain #CAdrought pic.twitter.com/pJO4Hx8Lka— Robin Pomeroy (@robin_pomeroy) March 19, 2016


An update on Folsom Lake...https://t.co/S7en1merNw pic.twitter.com/FCmrHvjsQF— Mark Finan (@kcraFinan) March 24, 2016

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Lake Shasta

Shasta is one of California’s most important reservoirs, providing water for large parts of the state. It’s also doing very well.

.@usbr will increase releases from Keswick Dam below Lake Shasta tonight. Last release this high: 6/3/2011 #cawx pic.twitter.com/sPXGCkYwCC— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) March 17, 2016


Each one of these holes on the dam is much bigger than it looks A photo posted by Brian Srotananda (@hypnoswami) on Mar 20, 2016 at 3:08pm PDT

03.21.16 Shasta dam pic.twitter.com/t5038KtvLK— $tu boo (@stuelise) March 22, 2016

Quick stop at Lake Shasta/Shasta Dam... A photo posted by @kimnygaard8 on Mar 23, 2016 at 1:42pm PDT

RTLove Boat! @NWSMedford: El Nino has helped bring a parade of storms. Lake Shasta up 134 ft since early Dec. pic.twitter.com/JDpYuzb8VW— Mark Freeman (@MTwriterFreeman) March 24, 2016


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Oroville Lake

This is also a key source of water, and is also coming back to life.

Lake Oroville hits flood control limit, may have to release water (82' in 1 mo!) via Chico …/buff.ly/1PpczuD pic.twitter.com/rq4YKtSOcg— Tim Johnson (@timflyfisher) March 22, 2016

Another angle of the water release this morning at the Oroville Dam. DWR opened the spillway around 9:30 and they plan to keep the outflow going for six days. KRCR News Channel 7Posted by Stephanie Barnes on Thursday, March 24, 2016 https://www.facebook.com/KRCRStephanieBarnes/videos/953383944697006/


Lake Oroville’s amazing compback. Courtesy Mark Tamayo pic.twitter.com/jncME51EbA— Bill Martin (@BillMartinKTVU) March 17, 2016

Updated at 11:45 a.m. with additional photos from Folsom and a map from Shasta.

Updated at 11 a.m. with additional photos and videos from Shasta and Oroville.

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