NORTH CAROLINA — Falls Lake in Wake County, the source of drinking water for Raleigh, continues to drop and now sits roughly 8 feet below normal. The lake measured 244 feet at the latest reading, just 2 feet above the lowest point reached during the 2008 drought. Some rain is expected Saturday, but it will not do much to help, and a prolonged dry spell is expected to follow.
Lake Level Drops to 244 Feet, About 8 Feet Below Normal
The latest measurement placed Falls Lake at 244 feet, roughly 8 feet below its normal level. The steady decline has continued for weeks as dry weather has persisted across central North Carolina.
Aerial photos of the lake show wide stretches of exposed lakebed, with narrow channels of water winding through areas that are normally fully submerged. Large sandbars and mudflats now stand out where open water usually covers the surface.
Only 2 Feet Above the 2008 Drought Low
The current level is only about 2 feet above the lowest point recorded during the 2008 drought. That drought remains one of the most severe in recent memory for the Triangle region and put heavy pressure on local water supplies.
If the lake continues to fall at its current pace, it could approach that historic low in the weeks ahead. Water managers will be closely tracking lake levels as the dry stretch continues into mid-November.
Saturday Rain Will Offer Little Relief
Some rain is expected to move through the area on Saturday, but totals are not expected to make a meaningful difference for the lake. Light to moderate rain will help dampen the ground, but much of it will soak into dry soil rather than run off into the reservoir…