Sierra foothill wildflower super bloom of lupine brings ominous warning for low lake levels

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Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Sierra foothill wildflower bloom brings ominous warning
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Folsom Lake in Granite Bay, California, north of Sacramento in the Sierra foothills, has such low water levels from the winter drought, that a super bloom of bright purple lupine is capturing visitors' attention instead at the Beeks Bight nature area.

GRANITE BAY, Calif. (KGO) -- A dry Folsom Lake now has waves of bright, purple wildflowers swaying in the breeze. But the beauty comes with a gloomier sign.

The super bloom of lupine that blankets the Beeks Bight nature area in Granite Bay, north of Sacramento, is a reminder of how low lake levels have gotten in California.

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The flowers have bloomed in the lake basin due to historically low rainfall, now sprouted in spots that usually sees bright blue lake water.

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Even so, visitors have flocked to the nature area, awed by the unexpectedly stunning sight. The lupine super bloom is expected to last a couple of weeks. Entry to the Beeks Bight nature area costs $12.