Until 20 years ago, the Penuelas Reservoir was the main water supply for the city of Valparaiso on the coast of central Chile.But today, it is almost dry.A huge open area of dried earth that was once the lake bed is now covered with fish skeletons and animals looking for water.The South American nation is facing a 13-year drought.Higher air temperatures have meant snow in the Andes Mountains is less dense.So, it is melting faster or just drying up.The snow in the mountains once provided important meltwater during the spring and summer.The capital, Santiago, has also been affected.Officials there are making plans to place limits on water use because of disputes between the mining and farming industries.Amanda Carrasco is a 54-year-old who lives near the Penuelas Reservoir.She said, "We have to beg God to send us water."She added, "I've never seen it like this. There's been less water before, but not like now."Jose Luis Murillo works at ESVAL, the company that supplies Valparaiso with water.
