While Falls Lake is at 250.9 feet, which is 7 inches below full, the City’s water source is 2.4 feet above the level for the same date in 2007.

The current 30-day demand for Raleigh water customers is 53.1 million gallons per day (MGD) which is an increase of 1.0 MGD from the previous update of July 15, but is significantly below the 30-day average for the same period in 2007 which was 61.9 MGD. This equates to a 14 percent reduction.

While early July’s rains eliminated the year-to-date rainfall deficit, the recent drier weather leaves the year-to-date surplus at a meager 0.8 inches. While the National Weather Service is forecasting some rain for Thursday or early next week, neither event is anticipated to be significant. The drought conditions of 2007 resulted in a deficit of 7.20 inches for that year.  

The U.S. Drought Monitor last week reclassified the Falls Lake Watershed in northern Wake, Durham, Granville and Orange counties to the moderate drought category. Should the dry conditions linger, a return to the severe category is predicted. The Triangle was last in the exceptional drought category at the end of March.