KINSTON, N.C. (WITN) – Low water levels along the Neuse River in Kinston are raising concerns for residents as much of eastern North Carolina experiences drought conditions.
At Neuseway Nature Park, a boat ramp was almost completely above water, and areas that would normally be underwater were exposed.
Kinston local Grayson Smith said he was surprised by the river level.
“We were super surprised to see it that low,” Smith said.
Resident Tonya Adams said she noticed the low water while checking the river.
“I just walked out there yesterday just to look at the river, and I noticed that the floating deck was sitting on the ground,” Adams said.
Tuesday afternoon, the river was observed at 2.89 feet by the Office of Water Prediction, well below flood stage, which begins at 13.5 feet.
Water levels over the weekend neared and tied the third-lowest water record back in 1994.
“I mean, there’s literally grass growing where water should be,” Adams said.
The low river levels are also raising questions about recreation.
Resident Oliver Smith said the conditions are making fishing difficult.
“The water is kind of low and a bunch of land up, so it’s kind of really hard to go fishing,” Smith said. “It’s way too low. You couldn’t really cast it out there.”
Adams said the conditions also raise concerns for farmers.
“So, it’s just concerning that we need water, we think about our farmers,” Adams said. “The only thing you can do is pray for rain.”
Kinston’s water supply mainly comes from the river.
Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Executive Director Harold Herring said officials are not concerned about the city’s water supply.
Herring said the river is monitored every day, and the communities served by the water and sewer authority have a backup supply of well water that is always available.
While the water levels are not a threat to the city’s water supply, they can affect fishing.
Greene County is implementing voluntary water restrictions due to the drought.
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