The locations in California are in the central valley where water has been cut off to farmers. Thanks to the government for a man-made disaster

Cities with the highest, lowest unemployment rates

Unemployment rates fell in roughly two-thirds of large U.S. cities in August, despite zero job growth nationwide.

Here are the cities with the highest and lowest rates:

Best and Worst Metro areas

Figures are in percentages

Highest unemployment rates August 2011

El Centro, Calif. 32.4

Yuma, Ariz. 29.4

Merced, Calif. 17.5

Yuba City, Calif. 17.0

Stockton, Calif. 16.1

Modesto, Calif. 16.0

Fresno, Calif. 15.8

Visalia-Porterville, Calif. 15.7

Hanford-Corcoran, Calif. 15.3

Palm Coast, Fla. 14.9

Lowest unemployment rates August 2011

Bismarck, N.D. 3.0

Lincoln, Neb. 3.6

Fargo, N.D. 3.9

Portsmouth, N.H. 4.4

Rapid City, S.D. 4.5

Sioux Falls, S.D. 4.5

Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb. 4.6

Burlington, Vt. 4.6

Midland, Texas 4.8

Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, La. 4.9