15 Droughts from the Past That Drained Entire Lakes
Here's a look at historical droughts that caused lakes to disappear, altering landscapes and ecosystems.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Throughout history, droughts have reshaped landscapes, drying up entire lakes and leaving behind barren basins. Some of these vanished bodies of water were once thriving ecosystems, while others held cultural or economic significance. Here are 15 times droughts drained lakes around the world.
1. The Great Drought That Drained Aral Sea
Adam Harangozó on Wikimedia Commons
Once one of the world’s largest lakes, the Aral Sea has nearly disappeared due to decades of water diversion for irrigation. Once-thriving fishing towns are now surrounded by desert. Restoration efforts are underway, but much of the damage is irreversible.
2. Lake Poopó’s Disappearance in Bolivia
Chiliguanca on Wikimedia Commons
Lake Poopó was Bolivia’s second-largest lake until it dried up completely in 2015. Climate change and water diversions left behind a cracked, barren landscape, and local communities that relied on fishing have been forced to relocate.
3. The Dust Bowl’s Impact on the Ogallala Aquifer
George Everett Marsh Jr. on Wikimedia Commons
The Dust Bowl of the 1930s depleted groundwater levels in the U.S., impacting lakes and rivers connected to the Ogallala Aquifer. Decades later, unsustainable water use continues to threaten the region. Without conservation efforts, this vital water source could vanish entirely.
4. California’s Lake Oroville Receding
NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team on Wikimedia Commons
Lake Oroville, a major California reservoir, has suffered from severe droughts, causing water levels to drop dramatically. The state has struggled to balance water supply demands while preventing environmental damage, and each dry season brings new concerns about its future.
5. Lake Chad’s Shrinking Waters
NASA on Wikimedia Commons
Once a massive freshwater lake, Lake Chad has lost over 90% of its water since the 1960s. Climate change, desertification, and increased water usage have contributed to its decline. Millions depend on it for survival, making its disappearance a humanitarian crisis.
6. The Disappearance of Iran’s Lake Urmia
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC on Wikimedia Commons
Lake Urmia, once the Middle East’s largest lake, has been drying up due to damming and climate change. Salt storms from the exposed lakebeds pose health risks to nearby communities. Recent efforts aim to restore the lake, but challenges remain.
7. Lake Faguibine’s Vanishing Act in Mali
NASA on Wikimedia Commons
Lake Faguibine in Mali was once a major water source for farming and fishing but has almost entirely dried up. Drought and mismanaged irrigation projects have left behind a desert landscape, and local communities have struggled to adapt to the loss.
8. The Decline of the Dead Sea
David Shankbone on Wikimedia Commons
The Dead Sea’s water level is dropping at an alarming rate due to mineral extraction and reduced inflows. Sinkholes have appeared along its shores as the water recedes. Conservation projects are underway, but the damage continues.
9. The Shrinking Salton Sea
Tuxyso on Wikimedia Commons
Once an accidental lake in California, the Salton Sea is now rapidly shrinking due to drought and water diversion. As it dries, toxic dust from the lakebed threatens nearby communities. Without intervention, the ecological and health risks will continue to rise.
10. Lake Mead’s Record Low Levels
NASA, USGS on Wikimedia Commons
Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the U.S., has hit historic lows due to prolonged drought and increased water demand. Once a major source of hydroelectric power, its decline signals a water crisis in the American Southwest. Conservation efforts are underway, but challenges remain.
11. Lake Peigneur’s Vanishing Act
OpenStreetMap contributors on Wikimedia Commons
A drilling accident in 1980 caused Louisiana’s Lake Peigneur to drain into an underground salt mine, leaving only a fraction of its former size. Though not a natural drought, this man-made disaster mimicked the impact of extreme water loss. The lake has never fully recovered.
12. Poyang Lake’s Seasonal Disappearance
NASA on Wikimedia Commons
China’s largest freshwater lake, Poyang Lake, nearly disappears during severe droughts, shrinking to a trickle. Water diversions and climate shifts have made these dry spells worse. The lake’s vanishing act threatens local agriculture and wildlife.
13. Lake Badwater’s Short-Lived Waters
King of Hearts on Wikimedia Commons
Located in Death Valley, Lake Badwater forms only after rare heavy rains but quickly evaporates under extreme heat. When prolonged droughts hit, it may not appear for years. This fleeting lake reminds us how fragile water sources can be in arid regions.
14. The Disappearance of Owens Lake
Dicklyon on Wikimedia Commons
Owens Lake in California was drained in the early 20th century due to excessive water diversion for Los Angeles. Once a thriving lake, it is now a dry, dusty basin. Efforts to control dust pollution continue, but the lake itself remains lost.
15. The vanishing of Lake Aculeo
Lauren Dauphin on Wikimedia Commons
Once a popular getaway in Chile, Lake Aculeo dried up completely in just a few years due to prolonged drought and water overuse. Once a destination for boating and fishing, it is now a barren wasteland. Experts warn that similar fates await other lakes without better water management.