Max Armstrong shares what he has learned about Tulare Lake. It’s a lake in California that was drained 80 years ago for irrigation. However, after this winter’s record precipitation there it has come back alive and is now so big it is giving Lake Tahoe a race for the biggest fresh water lake in California.

The rejuvenated lake has claimed many farms and agricultural operations in the lake boundaries and due to the clay bottom, Lake Tulare could be around for two-three years in some form.

According to Farm Progress, 40,000 acres of cotton is usually planted in that lake bottom area of  120,000-150,000 bales of cotton won’t be produced. This will also mean lost cotton seed for dairy feed, lost income for not just farmers, but cotton gin owners and employees.

Max Armstrong's Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Max Armstrong, veteran farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness.