This Photo Shows a California Lake Three Years Ago. The Second Shows How It Looks Now.

It’s no secret that California has endured a severe drought for the past three years — but some Americans may not realize exactly how serious it is.

Before and after photographs, however, may change that.

In this before-and-after composite image, (Top) Full water levels are visible in the Bidwell Marina at Lake Oroville on on July 20, 2011 in Oroville, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The top photos picture Lake Oroville three summers ago, in July 2011.

The bottom photos show the same California lake at just 32 percent of it’s total capacity of 3,537,577 acre feet, according to NBC News.

In this before-and-after composite image, (Top) Full water levels are visible in the Bidwell Marina at Lake Oroville on July 20, 2011 in Oroville, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Earlier this year, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency, saying the Golden State faces one of the most severe droughts on record. Since then, the California Public Utilities Commission has implemented water use restrictions.

(H/T: NBC News)

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