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.<\/p>\n
At Neuseway Nature Park, a boat ramp was almost completely above water, and areas that would normally be underwater were exposed.<\/p>\n
Kinston local Grayson Smith said he was surprised by the river level.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were super surprised to see it that low,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n
Resident Tonya Adams said she noticed the low water while checking the river.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just walked out there yesterday just to look at the river, and I noticed that the floating deck was sitting on the ground,\u201d Adams said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Water levels over the weekend neared and tied the third-lowest water record back in 1994.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, there\u2019s literally grass growing where water should be,\u201d Adams said.<\/p>\n
The low river levels are also raising questions about recreation.<\/p>\n
Resident Oliver Smith said the conditions are making fishing difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe water is kind of low and a bunch of land up, so it\u2019s kind of really hard to go fishing,\u201d Smith said. \u201cIt\u2019s way too low. You couldn\u2019t really cast it out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adams said the conditions also raise concerns for farmers.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, it\u2019s just concerning that we need water, we think about our farmers,\u201d Adams said. \u201cThe only thing you can do is pray for rain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kinston\u2019s water supply mainly comes from the river.<\/p>\n
Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Executive Director Harold Herring said officials are not concerned about the city\u2019s water supply. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
While the water levels are not a threat to the city\u2019s water supply, they can affect fishing.<\/p>\n