Current Drought and Water Supply Information for Raleigh Residents

Central North Carolina is currently in a Severe Drought. This includes the Falls Lake and Swift Creek watersheds. You may notice lower water levels in local streams and creeks.

Even though local streams may look dry, large reservoirs like Falls Lake are built to handle droughts, kind of like a giant water savings account for the city. They store water so that we don’t run out, even when nature is stingy.

Raleigh’s Water Supply

Raleigh’s main drinking water comes from Falls Lake. Here’s how it works:

• Water Supply Pool: Raleigh can use about 58% of the water in Falls Lake for drinking. Think of it like the money in your wallet, it’s what you can actually spend. 
• Water Quality Pool: The rest of the water is reserved to keep rivers healthy downstream, kind of like leaving money in a savings account for emergencies. 

Because of this, the lake level you see doesn’t always reflect how much drinking water is available. It’s normal for some areas of the lake to look low during dry weather. Restrictions are based on water supply pool level, not just how the lake looks. 

Currently:

• 87% of the water supply pool in Falls Lake is still available. 
• Our backup water supply, Lake Benson, is nearly 100% full, ready to help if we ever need it. 

How Raleigh Plans for Drought

Raleigh uses a Water Shortage Response Plan based on over 100 years of water data. This plan studies the lake’s natural “breathing” cycle—the way it fills up in wet months and slowly goes down during dry months.

Key points about the WSRP:

• Water restrictions start at different times of the year depending on how much water there is in the lake. 
• The plan uses the water supply pool level to decide when to activate these rules. 
• This system helps keep water available even when the weather is hot and dry for long periods. 

Raleigh’s Water Supply Is Reliable Even in Drought Conditions

Even during a severe drought, Raleigh’s water system is well-prepared to provide safe, reliable drinking water. By understanding how our water supply works and following seasonal guidelines, residents help ensure that our “community water wallet” stays healthy and full, no matter how dry the weather gets.

There are no current water use restrictions, but residents are always encouraged to use water wisely.

For a bigger picture of drought across the state, you can check out the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council.