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A “bathtub ring” of mineral deposits left by higher water levels is visible beyond Elephant Butte Dam at the drought-stricken Elephant Butte Reservoir on August 15, 2022 near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. New Mexico’s largest reservoir is currently at 3.8 percent of its total capacity in spite of recent monsoon rains in the state. According to officials, water levels at Elephant Butte have been below average since around 2019 and the lake has not been able to meet full levels of irrigation demand for several years. Experts say that in spite of the monsoon rains bringing temporary relief to parts of the Southwest, the climate change-fueled megadrought remains entrenched in the West. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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