AT LEAST 18 INCHES OF RAIN NEEDED

Source: Charlotte Observer

AT LEAST 18 INCHES OF RAIN NEEDED
Drizzle doesn't dent drought
Duke declares situation Stage 3 throughout region as basin dwindles
CHRISTOPHER D. KIRKPATRICK
ckirkpatrick@charlotteobserver.com
LAYNE BAILEY / Staff Photographer10/4/2007 - Pedestrians along College Street in uptown Charlotte had some afternoon rain showers to deal with Thursday.As it started to rain Thursday, Duke Energy announced the water in the Catawba-Wateree river basin had reached a new low during this prolonged drought -- continuing to threaten the region's drinking water and future power plant operations.

Duke said usable water in the basin was at 42 percent, far below the normal 70 percent or more expected this time of year. The water supply in the basin has been shrinking 2 percent to 3 percent a week, Duke said.

The Charlotte-based utility declared a Stage 3 shortage for the entire basin, which means residents and industry should cut consumption 10 percent to 20 percent. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities last week entered into Stage 3 requirements ahead of the declaration, meaning it prohibited lawn watering. Some other communities had already taken the step, and several cities joined in this week.

The U.S. Drought Monitor now lists nearly all of the Charlotte region as being in "exceptional" drought conditions, the worst level possible. Federal weather forecasters also expect the conditions to continue, with areas needing from a foot and a half to almost 3 feet of rainfall over the next three months for the drought to end. Long-range forecasts offer little optimism.

If the drought worsens, Duke might have to decrease power-plant operations and buy power from outside sources, which is expensive. The region could also move into Stage 4 restrictions, which would


Read more: http://www.charlotte.com/171/story/306261.html

Most of the northern half of the state is under a no watering rule, with the exception of food gardens and professional landscaping. I can understand the gardens, but why on earth would they allow people to water professionally landscaped yards? No offense, but I really don't give a crap about how much someone has spent on their sod. Especially when the reservoirs are running dry. :shrug:

and politicians listen to people with money

but it doesn't look like we will get that.

I worry sometimes about my well. I don't know what the level is. I should have it checked. At this point, I haven't experienced a drop in pressure.

that bitch waters her lawn just about everyday and I'm getting sick of it. I told my husband I was going to report her!!! Next time I will!!!

It's really sad how dry it is, we need more than a hurricane, we need several hurricanes to sit on NC for at least 2 weeks.

I got home from bartending early last night to find all the sprinklers on ... I reported them and told them what I thought this morning

I'm thankful for the rain today, not enough, but at least we had a little here in the Raleigh area.

I did a little math and Lake Norman would need 387,700,000 cubic yards (a box 3'x3'x3') of water to get back up to full pond