Conditions improved in the drought report issued July 10, 2008, and WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said midweek rain would probably bring more improvement in the next week's numbers.

1. Jul 10, 2008

N.C. State professors discuss a three-year research project to determine the best way to water a lawn.

1. Jun 25, 2008

The draft bill would require local governments to set uniform minimum water conservation measures and would give the governor authority to act sooner than he can now.

1. Jun 23, 2008

According to the city, average water use is up more than 50 percent from four months ago, during extreme drought conditions.

1. Jun 16, 2008

As the temperature rises, so does the need for water. Customers on the Raleigh water system are increasing their consumption, according Ed Buchan, water conservation specialist with the city's Public Utilities Department.

1. Jun 6, 2008

Growth and water quality are coming into conflict as smaller towns question the way Raleigh allocates their water supplies.

1. May 29, 2008

Nursery owners say they count each wagon load of plants customers buy as one more sale that will help pull their businesses out of the hole created by the drought.

1. May 26, 2008

Recent rains have filled area lakes – and while that's good news for the state's drought, it's also good news for boaters. Two lakes in Durham open on Fridays, beginning today.

1. May 2, 2008

The end of the drought means a 150-year-old boat sunken in the Tar River can't be seen anymore. But local and state historians are working to preserve it.

1. Apr 24, 2008

Mayor Charles Meeker launched the “Slow the Flow and Save Some For Later” campaign on Thursday.

1. Apr 17, 2008

Richard Redpath, a Cary homeowner, said he will only need to mow his drought-tolerant lawn twice a year.

1. Apr 12, 2008

WRAL Meteorologist Greg Fishel and state climatologist Ryan Boyles discuss why rainfall doesn't necessarily end the drought.

1. Jul 10, 2008

State Climatologist Ryan Boyles said people shouldn't be fooled into thinking the drought is over just because area reservoirs have been replenished.

1. Apr 7, 2008

Six rainy days over the past week have helped fill up Falls Lake. With Raleigh's main water source back up, the city manager is expected to ease restrictions and allow the use of hand-held hoses for watering.

1. Apr 6, 2008

Rain barrels were being put to good use across the Triangle during Sunday's rainfall. But some residents in a Wake County neighborhood say their water conservation efforts are being hampers by the homeowners association’s image concerns.

1. Mar 30, 2008

The only public pool in town could remain empty this summer if drought conditions don't ease in the next month, officials said Friday.

1. Mar 24, 2008

Raleigh officials say they need more help installing low-flow devices for low-income residents.

1. Mar 21, 2008

Cary is implementing four new conservation programs in an effort to get homeowners to save water.

1. Mar 16, 2008

Abandoned quarries in Wake County contain billions of gallons of water that at least one official said should be tapped to augment the supply of available drinking water.

1. Mar 13, 2008

Gov. Mike Easley on Tuesday unveiled a three-part legislative package to modernize North Carolina's public water systems, mandate water conservation and efficiency and upgrade the response to water emergencies.

1. Mar 11, 2008

Gov. Mike Easley unveiled a three-part legislative package Tuesday to get more control over water consumption and better prepare for droughts.

1. Mar 11, 2008

Different management strategies keep Jordan Lake filled, while Falls Lake struggles to rebound from drought.

1. Mar 10, 2008

The level of Falls Lake increased by more than a foot since late Tuesday after a powerful storm system moved across North Carolina, officials said.

1. Mar 5, 2008

Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker said city inspectors could begin visiting area businesses to determine whether they have installed low-flow faucets and other measures called for to conserve water.

1. Mar 3, 2008

Recent rains have helped replenish many area lakes, but Falls Lake continues to suffer from the ongoing drought.

1. Feb 29, 2008

How far would you go to conserve water and keep a green lawn at the same time? One Raleigh home and business owner knew his answer to that question: Spend tens of thousands of dollars, and dig a big canyon.

1. Feb 29, 2008

Owners James and Ella Perry said the Warren County Farmers Market was their whole world. But rising local produce prices, brought on by the drought, is forcing the mom-and-pop shop to close.

1. Feb 27, 2008

As water conservation becomes increasing important across the Triangle, a group of N.C. State students are doing their part by educating. They held a rain barrel demonstration Tuesday night in hopes of getting more people to tap into stormwater runoff.

1. Feb 26, 2008

State lawmakers are considering a proposal that would require homeowners and businesses that use private wells to report on how much water they consume.

1. Feb 26, 2008

Raleigh and other cities that draw water from the Neuse River plan to develop a computer model that will help them better manage the use of water in the river.

1. Feb 25, 2008

A community forum focused on Wake County's water supply and demand drew more than 200 concerned residents Saturday.

1. Feb 23, 2008

Since Stage 2 water restrictions went into effect last Friday, Raleigh’s water demand has dropped by about 1 million gallons a day. Despite the restrictions, some businesses have found a way to get water – by tapping into the city's wastewater treatment plant.

1. Feb 19, 2008

The Raleigh City Council talks with an Army Corps of Engineers official about managing the water supply in Falls Lake to survive the drought.

1. Feb 19, 2008

The Stage 2 restrictions – the toughest rules currently on the books in Raleigh – ban outdoor watering. That means some changes at the State Fairgrounds and State Farmers Market.

1. Feb 16, 2008

Landscapers, car wash operators and other small-business owners had to adjust their processes or face going out of business Friday when Raleigh imposed more stringent water-use rules.

1. Feb 15, 2008

City officials are considering numerous options, from accelerating construction on a water-treatment plant to banking on help from Congress, as they look for for long-term solutions to the drought.

1. Feb 14, 2008

As the drought slowly tightens its grip on North Carolina, state officials worry about its growing impact on the economy.

1. Feb 13, 2008

With talk of tougher water restrictions, Raleigh builders and developers are worried about a possible moratorium on future development. The city has continued to issue new building permits throughout the drought.

1. Feb 13, 2008

Three days before Raleigh moves to the strictest water restrictions on the books, City Council members already are thinking of even more stringent measures they can imposeifthe drought continues.

1. Feb 12, 2008

Mayor Charles Meeker on Monday called for establishing an overall "budget" for local water use and said the City Council would take steps in the coming weeks to ensure the city stays within the budget.

1. Feb 11, 2008

Due to the record drought, Raleigh hospitality businesses are making every effort to save water. To help hotels and restaurants find ways to conserve, a hospitality water summit is planned for this week.

1. Feb 11, 2008

Federal officials have proposed cutting the amount of water released from Falls Lake into the Neuse River by half in the spring to extend the lake's water supply as long as possible.

1. Feb 5, 2008

Raleigh should impose tougher water restrictions by Feb. 28 at the latest, and new water customers could be charged an extra fee to pay for conservation, a City Council committee decided Wednesday.

1. Jan 30, 2008

A development project being considered in Zebulon would extend water service along the Johnston and Wake county line.

1. Jan 28, 2008

Used water could soon help area lawns stay green during drought conditions.

1. Jan 24, 2008

Raleigh leaders on Tuesday asked city residents to limit their daily water consumption to 35 gallons per person to help extend the dwindling supply of drinking water as much as possible.

1. Jan 22, 2008

Water restrictions could soon get even tighter in Raleigh. City leaders could ban all outdoor watering, but people can take steps to keep plants and trees alive without water.

1. Jan 21, 2008

With the drought knocking out much of the state's hay crop last year, the state is helping farmers by using bulk-buying power to get hay from far away at somewhat lower prices.

1. Jan 18, 2008

Raleigh leaders are considering a 50 percent surcharge in water customers' bills – the latest way to save the city's dwindling water supply.

1. Jan 16, 2008

North Carolina water systems facing the most precarious position in terms of available drinking water need to link up with other systems, check their lines for leaks and adopt tiered water rates, Gov. Mike Easley said Monday.

1. Jan 14, 2008

The City Council on Tuesday approved several of Mayor Charles Meeker's suggestions to slash local water consumption, but council members held off on his two most controversial ideas: a 25-gallon individual daily limit on water and a temporary 50 percent increase in water rates.

1. Jan 8, 2008

Heeding calls to install more water-efficient devices could run from $200 to $600, depending on how far homeowners want to go. There are less-expensive, do-it-your-self options, too, however.

1. Jan 8, 2008

Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker proposes a 25-gallon daily limit per person for water and said he would like the city to impose a 50 percent surcharge on water bills.

1. Jan 7, 2008

Sky5 Flyover of Area Water Supplies, Jan. 2, 2008, in the following order: Falls Lake, Lake Michie, Little River Reservoir and Jordan Lake.

1. Jan 2, 2008

After falling steadily during the fall, water use in Raleigh has leveled off in recent weeks, which could require creativity by city officials to cut consumption even more.

1. Dec 21, 2007

Gov. Mike Easley calls for tiered water pricing and other measures to conserve water amid an ongoing drought.

1. Dec 20, 2007

A Wilson's McDonald's restaurant says water restrictions are the cause of its $1 charge for water. Restrictions in Wilson are voluntary, and other fast-food outlets do not seem to see things the same way.

1. Dec 19, 2007

As crews began tapping an abandoned quarry Monday to deliver more water to the parched city, one Durham official called for a 10 percent surcharge on local water bills to help pay for the costs of the ongoing drought.

1. Dec 17, 2007

Conserving water is a must during this year's statewide drought, but it will take more than going easy on the taps.

1. Dec 14, 2007

With tougher water restrictions in Raleigh a week away and Durham preparing to tap an abandoned quarry to extend its dwindling water supply, public utilities officials gathered Wednesday to discuss options for dealing with the ongoing drought.

1. Dec 12, 2007

The city could implement strict water restrictions as early as next week that not only will limit how much water residents and businesses consume but also might turn off the spigot on new housing developments.

1. Dec 10, 2007

With about seven weeks of drinking water left in Durham's two primary reservoirs, City Council members met Thursday to discuss options to keep water flowing to local residents.

1. Dec 6, 2007

Potential development in Durham could be put on hold because there may not be enough water to go around.

1. Dec 4, 2007

The Raleigh City Council might look at implementing variable water rates to charge customers more for heavy use to encourage water conservation.

1. Nov 29, 2007

With only two months of drinking water left in Durham, city leaders approved tighter water restrictions Tuesday, which call for all businesses to cut water use. But some business, like the White Star laundry mat, say cutting back anymore is not an option.

1. Nov 27, 2007

Raleigh's primary reservoir is at an all-time low level, despite recent rains and declining water consumption by area residents.

1. Nov 20, 2007

Sky 5 flyover of Jordan Lake, Nov. 20, 2007

1. Nov 20, 2007

Sky 5 flyover of Lake Michie, Nov. 20, 2007

1. Nov 20, 2007

The drought across much of the country is helping push up prices of ingredients used to brew beer, and industry observers said that could lead to higher prices at the neighborhood bar by early next year.

1. Nov 13, 2007

Some Raleigh officials want area towns that buy water from the city to enforce water restrictions more tightly.

1. Nov 8, 2007

City officials are working with the Army Corps of Engineers on a plan to pump water from Lake Benson and Lake Wheeler into the Neuse River to conserve Raleigh's dwindling drinking water supply in Falls Lake.

1. Nov 7, 2007

State officials have activated an emergency response team to oversee how the state deals with the ongoing drought.

1. Oct 30, 2007

Climate experts said Tuesday that impacts from the statewide drought would likely become worse next year, and they continued to press for more water conservation by North Carolina residents.

1. Oct 30, 2007

Rainfall across North Carolina brought good news for drought-starved lakes and reservoirs.

1. Oct 29, 2007

Sky5 Flyover of Tar River Reservoir, Oct. 29, 2007

1. Oct 29, 2007

Sky5 Flyover of Little River, Oct. 29, 2007

1. Oct 29, 2007

WRAL's Renee Chou tours a water efficient home and shows how a gallon saved here and there really adds up.

1. Oct 26, 2007

Conservation is part of daily life now in North Carolina, but some say the measures to should be permanent.

1. Oct 25, 2007

Gov. Mike Easley testified before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, seeking grants to farmers to help them survive the ongoing drought.

1. Oct 25, 2007

The drought has dried up crops across the state, but vineyard owners are having a bounteous year.

1. Oct 24, 2007

Well-drillers are in high demand as shallow wells succumb to the drought.

1. Oct 24, 2007

Gov. Mike Easley said he wants people to cut their water consumption in half over the next week to see what dealing with a water crisis would entail.

1. Oct 23, 2007

U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge wants the president and Congress to authorize direct disaster assistance payments for drought-affected farmers.

1. Oct 22, 2007

Many North Carolina cities and towns have historically had abundant supplies of water that they used it to lure and reward industry. But some officials believe such volume discounts should be scrapped to encourage conservation.

1. Oct 19, 2007

Rain at the State Fair normally would be unwelcome, but attendees reveled in the rain Friday, hoping it would help with the statewide drought.

1. Oct 19, 2007

Cary and Holly Springs have become the latest area municipalities to ban lawn watering with sprinklers.

1. Oct 17, 2007

Gov. Mike Easley expresses satisfaction with state efforts to cut water consumption in light of the ongoing drought.

1. Oct 17, 2007

State and local leaders are pleading with people to conserve water during the drought, but folks who use well water are not under any restrictions.

1. Oct 17, 2007

Raleigh officials have stopped issuing permits that allow daily watering on newly reseeded lawns for 45 days.

1. Oct 16, 2007

Sky5 Flyover of Lake Michie, a Durham water source that is down about 14 feet from normal levels.

1. Oct 16, 2007

Mayor Charles Meeker said Tuesday that he will ask the City Council to ban outdoor watering and washing personal cars.

1. Oct 16, 2007

Gov. Mike Easley calls on all North Carolina residents to cut their water consumption to prevent a looming crisis as the statewide drought continues.

1. Oct 15, 2007

With grass dying and hay wilting in the fields, farmers can not afford to feed their herd and are having to sell off their cattle.

1. Oct 12, 2007

Low river levels caused by a statewide drought have exposed a sunken, rare boat in the Tar River.

1. Oct 11, 2007

Gov. Mike Easley said the drought has put North Carolina on the "threshold" of an emergency and stricter water conservation measures.

1. Oct 10, 2007

Most of the state is in dire straits when it comes to the drought. The record setting heat has turned grass brown and trees are showing signs of distress.

1. Oct 8, 2007

Amid a crippling drought, Triangle companies use millions of gallons a day. But at least one of the Triangle's biggest users – North Carolina State University – is trying to cut back.

1. Oct 4, 2007

WRAL Meterorologist Elizabeth Gardner has the latest on the statewide drought.

1. Oct 4, 2007

The Green industry - that's what it's called - creates 152,000 jobs in our state and brings $8.6 billion into the economy each year. It’s a number that's dwindling as the drought continues to take its toll.

1. Oct 3, 2007

The town of Henderson and Franklin County, which draw water for their systems from Kerr Lake, are watching carefully. Franklin is getting restrictions ready in case they are needed.

1. Oct 2, 2007

Officials from Goldsboro, which lies along the Neuse River, are formulating back-up plans if a drought dries up Raleigh's Falls Lake.

1. Sep 27, 2007

Durham officials are tightening the taps even further to conserve the city's dwindling water supply.

1. Sep 21, 2007

The drought has forced the city of Raleigh to find new recruits to keep an eye out for water code violators.

1. Sep 18, 2007

Because they have only one chance per week to water, many Raleigh homeowners are overwatering.

1. Sep 13, 2007

If you get caught watering outdoors in Siler City, it could cost you $500. The town implemented new water restrictions Monday and has asked everyone to reduce water consumption by 20 percent.

1. Sep 11, 2007

In just one week, the city of Raleigh has issued 100 notices letting people know that they have violated water restriction rules and will be fined.

1. Sep 5, 2007

Low water levels forced some boaters to stay on shore at Kerr Lake on Labor Day weekend.

1. Sep 3, 2007

The drained lakes caused by the continuing drought across North Carolina initially led to water restrictions and could soon result in boating restrictions.

1. Aug 31, 2007

Jordan Lake is 3 feet lower than normal and it is having an impact on the water systems downstream.

1. Aug 30, 2007

Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker and city officials discuss the rationale behind imposing tough limits - and fines for violations - on water consumption.

1. Aug 28, 2007

State agriculture commissioner Steve Troxler unveils a new plan to help ease a cattle feed shortage in North Carolina.

1. Aug 28, 2007

As Raleigh tightens water restrictions from Tuesday, a recent report says demand for water won't abate in the next 30 years - a fact that has a local economist worried about the trickle-down effect on businesses.

1. Aug 28, 2007

Carolina Stockyards in Siler City has seen double the number of cattle coming to market because of the drought.

1. Aug 24, 2007

The drought affecting the entire state is taking a toll on local farmers at Raleigh's farmer's market.

1. Aug 23, 2007

Research being conducted at North Carolina State University could help area residents keep their lawns from burning up despite the drought and tight water restrictions.

1. Aug 22, 2007

Even with the recent hot, dry conditions and the newest round of water restrictions, there was no shortage of water at the State Legislative Building.

1. Aug 22, 2007

Jeff Orrock of the National Weather Service explains to a meeting of the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007, how global patterns are working against soaking rains to help North Carolina.

1. Aug 21, 2007

Rocky Mount is facing its worst water shortage in several decades. Town officials are considering asking to purchase between 2 and 3 million gallons of water a day from the City of Wilson.

1. Aug 21, 2007

Wake Forest is closing eyeing a dispute between Franklin County and Raleigh over whether the county can draw water from the Neuse River.

1. Aug 20, 2007

As the drought across North Carolina worsens, the Raleigh City Council has authorized City Manager Russell Allen to implement tougher restrictions on water consumption.

1. Aug 16, 2007

A high-efficiency shower head puts less water through smaller holes so you don't notice any difference in pressure, but you use less. It's one of several water-saving ways you can go.

1. Aug 14, 2007

If it’s not your day to water your plants or wash your car, prepare for a warning. Public utilities officials are out enforcing the water restrictions.

1. Aug 9, 2007

While much of the state has a moderate drought, leaders in Nash County said their situation is much worse.

1. Aug 3, 2007

After two days of near-record water use, Raleigh city officials said stronger restrictions could be imposed as early as next month.

1. Jul 12, 2007

State leaders aren't calling the drought situation a crisis, but they are trying to shift the public's thinking from reckless water consumption to conservation.

1. Jul 5, 2007

Raleigh's mandatory restrictions took effect Monday, July 2, 2007, and other parts of the state also face reduced rainfall this year.

1. Jul 2, 2007

More than three quarters of North Carolina is now suffering from drought conditions, and several western counties are extremely dry, according to climate figures released Thursday.

1. Jun 1, 2007

Residences and non-agricultural businesses that get water from Clayton, Princeton, Four Oaks, Kenly, Aqua NC and Carolina Water Service are now under a mandatory odd-even allocation system to conserve county supplies.

1. May 29, 2007

Some Raleigh residents may have to tighten their tap as the city considers mandatory, year-round water restrictions.

1. May 9, 2007