Rain moves Carolinas river basin from Stage 2 to Stage 1 drought

Recent rainfall has improved conditions in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin, prompting its drought management group to move the basin from Stage 2 to Stage 1 as reservoir levels and streamflows recover. Charlotte Water has eased mandatory restrictions, and mandatory restrictions have ended for Hickory, Burke County Water and their partner systems; Lenoir-area public water customers are also under voluntary conservation guidance. Officials are still urging customers to conserve, with goals generally ranging from 3% to 5% less water use and recommendations including limiting outdoor watering, avoiding daytime irrigation and running only full loads of laundry and dishes. The basin has not returned to normal conditions, so conservation efforts remain important while streamflows continue to recover.