Raleigh, N.C. — Falls Lake is almost 2½ feet higher than it was a year ago, while demand across the municipal water system has dropped from last year, officials said Tuesday.

The level of Falls Lake, the primary reservoir for Raleigh and six Wake County towns, was 250.9 feet Tuesday, which is 7 inches below the level at which it's considered full. A year ago, the lake was at 248.5 feet.

Meanwhile, daily water consumption averaged 53.1 million gallons over the last month, down 14 percent from the 61.9 million gallons the municipal water system was pumping daily last summer.

Falls Lake has enough water to last at least to late April 2009, based on current demand levels, officials said.