While recent rains have helped, they haven’t eliminated drought conditions across central North Carolina.
Raleigh has lifted its water restrictions, but Durham remains under Stage 2 restrictions.
At Lake Michie in Durham County, water levels remain well below normal. Back in June, parts of the lakebed were dry enough to walk across. The ground is softer now, but water levels remain low. A marking on a nearby bridge shows where the water typically reaches.
On Monday, Durham’s website showed the city had about 144 days of water supply remaining, with its reservoirs at 55% capacity.
Those levels aren’t enough to ease Stage 2 restrictions, which prohibit spray irrigation and at-home car washing and limit power washing.
“From June through most of July, things were getting worse and worse for us,” said Sydney Miller with Durham Water Management. “The last couple of weeks, we’ve actually gotten some rain, so things are not quite as dire as they were, but we’re still in a severe drought … until our reservoirs are full, or near full, we will remain in water restrictions.”
The city said that, based on current demand and the weather forecast, Stage 3 water shortage restrictions could become necessary.
The drought is also affecting areas outside Durham. Part of Chatham County relies on Durham’s water supply, and the county’s northern district remains under water restrictions.
Other communities, including Johnston County and Rocky Mount, have made their restrictions voluntary, asking residents to conserve water where they can.