Drought conditions have expanded in North Carolina. Forty-seven counties are now experiencing extreme drought, and most of the rest of the state is in severe drought, according to the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC).
For counties in extreme drought conditions, or D3, water systems are advised to follow their Water Shortage Response Plan and adhere to water use reduction measures. They must report weekly water use and conservation status online at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resource’s Local Water Supply Plan website.
The public should check with their local water supply system for any information on water use restrictions that may be in place.
“Water utilities’ websites are the best place for residents to look for information on active conservation measures,” said Klaus Albertin, chair of the DMAC. “The best time to water is the morning before it gets hot out. Less water will evaporate so less water is wasted.”
Rainfall totals recorded by gages across the state are 10 inches or more below normal for the last six months, based on data from the Southeast Regional Climate Center. Groundwater and streamflow levels across the state are also below normal levels, according to the state’s monitoring network.
“Rainfall helps to replenish not only streams, lakes, rivers and drinking water reservoirs, but also groundwater levels in our aquifers,” said Gabrielle Chianese, DEQ Division of Water Resources Groundwater Resources Branch supervisor. “Currently, we're seeing near-record low groundwater levels in many areas of the state.”
The N.C. Forest Service’s ban on all open burning remains in effect until further notice.
DMAC is a collaboration of drought experts from various government agencies in North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina, and organized by DWR. DMAC members meet weekly and submit their drought condition recommendations to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Drought Mitigation Center for updates to the U.S. Drought Monitor, a map of the nation’s drought conditions. DMAC’s drought map is updated weekly on Thursdays, based on conditions through the previous Tuesday. To view North Carolina’s drought map, visit www.ncdrought.org.
To learn more, visit our drought education page.