DroughtThursday, November 5
Triangle lakes hit their lowest levels in years as the drought drags on
The 5AM Chapel Hill team
If you water your lawn, Falls Lake is at 245 feet, six feet below normal and its lowest level in at least three years. Raleigh's supply on the lake is at 63%, well above the 35% that would trigger Stage One restrictions in November. Raleigh Water's Ed Buchan said irrigation demand has picked up over the last month. We suggest trimming it back, even with no restrictions in place.
Wake and Durham counties are in severe drought
Rating set by U.S. Drought Monitor
Severe drought
- Wake County is in severe drought
- Durham County is too
- Durham's reservoirs are lowest in over a decade
Sources: CBS 17, The News & Observer
View as table
| Level | In effect |
|---|---|
| Abnormally dry | |
| Moderate drought | |
| Severe drought | Now |
| Extreme drought | |
| Exceptional drought |
Durham is tighter. Its reservoirs are 33% full, compared to 38% in July, and city analyst Joe Lunne said this is typically "our driest time of year." Water is also being bought and pulled from Jordan Lake through the Town of Cary. Falls and Jordan lakes aren't quite as low as Durham's reservoirs, mainly because they're larger.
Durham's reservoirs are 33% full, down from 38% in July
33%Durham's main reservoirs, how full they are
Source: The News & Observer
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Durham's main reservoirs, how full they are | 33% |
| July | 38% |
- Durham water left: 81 days in its reservoirs
- Durham Stage 2: no spray irrigation since June
- Stage 3 would ban all outdoor water use
- Wake County earlier this year: Stage One, irrigation once weekly
Sources: CBS 17, The News & Observer, Durham Herald Sun