Wake County remains in moderate drought, despite rain

Wet winter months normally help replenish water supplies, but less rain this year has caused Falls Lake, Raleigh's major water source, to be about two-feet low. 

“Usually in February, they have fully recovered,” said Ed Buchan, water conservation specialist with the Raleigh’s Public Utilities Department

Those drops must fall in a specific area, the watershed, to refill the lake.

“Unless it is in northern Wake County, Durham County or Granville County, it is not going to make much difference,” Buchan said.

Without more rain in the right places, Buchan said lakes and reservoirs are going to drop much quicker than they normally would and push the area into a deeper drought in hotter months.

Buchan is also concerned about groundwater levels.

John Boyette Jr., president of the North Carolina Groundwater Association, said really deep wells are sporadic and water levels deep underground still look decent.

“Everything seems to be holding the same that it has been,” Boyette said.

But the resource should not be taken for granted, he said.

“There is a lot of water in the ground, but we don’t need to waste it,” Boyette said.