Lake Norman water level Oct. 2023

Nov. 1. By Dave Yochum. Duke Energy says drought conditions have made it necessary to enter Stage 1 of “Low Inflow Protocol” (LIP) in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin, which includes Lake Norman and Mountain Island Lake.

As of today, Lake Norman is 2.4 feet below target level and .6 above minimum.

As dry weather conditions persist, Duke is asking people to “be mindful of water use and to consider conserving energy which also saves water.”

Limit lake irrigation

Residents who use the lake for landscape irrigation are asked to limit watering to Tuesdays and Saturdays.

What the goal?

The goal is to delay the point at which the available water storage inventory is fully depleted.

Boat ramps closing

Some boat ramps are already closed, and more may close temporarily, Duke said.

Forecast

The next possible rain is a 30 percent chance of showers here next Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

While there are no actions that can guarantee that the basin won’t experience operability limitations due to low reservoir levels or stream flows, the LIP provides additional time for precipitation to restore stream flow, reservoir levels and groundwater levels to normal ranges.

Lake Norman water level Oct. 2023

Photos by Jason Benavides