Entire state faces drought designation
Watauga listed in ‘moderate’ condition

By Scott Nicholson

Dry conditions that have sparked several regional brush fires have also led to a statewide drought designation just as funds are drying up for monitoring stream flows.

For the first time since August, all 100 North Carolina counties are experiencing drought or abnormally dry conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday.

Watauga County is currently ranked as suffering moderate drought, along with 28 other counties. Under the classification, water users are urged to reduce “nonessential” water usage and those operating water systems should promote water conservation programs.

Abnormally dry conditions cover the entire eastern portion of North Carolina and parts of the Piedmont due to recent warm, dry weather. Abnormally dry conditions indicate that drought is not present but could return without adequate rainfall.

Western North Carolina remains the state’s driest area, with conditions worsening over the winter.

Rainfall amounts have been well below average in recent weeks, according to many of the state’s weather observation sites.

“We’re seeing that in the streamflows,” said Woody Yonts, chairman of the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council.

Average streamflow data show that flows are unseasonably low and getting lower. Average ground water levels are also dropping.

A U.S. Geological Survey stream-flow gauge on the Watauga River near Sugar Grove recorded a flow of 82 cubic feet of water per second Friday. The all-time low recorded over 68 years was 51 cubic feet in 2001, with the median flow over 68 years measuring 174 feet.

A stream-flow monitoring site on the New River near West Jefferson reported a flow of 257 cubic feet per second on Friday, with an all-time low of 144 feet per second recorded in 1989. On Feb. 6, the flow dipped below 200 cubic feet per second. The median flow measured over 82 years is 425 cubic feet per second.

Friday was the last day data from the New River stream-flow gauge in Onslow County was scheduled to be monitored, due to a lack of funds.

Funding from the N.C. Division of Emergency Management’s Floodplain Mapping program prevented similar shutdowns of data collection on the Tar, Neuse and Lumber rivers.

The town of Boone plans to install a water intake plant on the South Fork of the New River to draw up to 4 million gallons a day. Boone voters approved a $25 million referendum to construct the plant and water lines.

Long-range outlooks from the National Climate Prediction Center show the possibility of unseasonably dry weather for several more months. Yonts said drought could start creeping eastward across the state if these long-term outlooks don’t change.

“We’re encouraging all citizens of North Carolina to conserve water,” said Yonts in a statement.

Water conservation can help stretch the state’s water resources for homeowners, businesses, agricultural users, and ecological interests, Yonts said. The N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council offers the following water conservation tips:

•For indoor water conservation, install a low-flow shower head; turn off water when brushing teeth; do only full loads of laundry; wash dishes by hand and repair leaking toilets.

•For outdoor water conservation, water plants early in the day; plant only native grasses and shrubs; fix leaks in hose connections; use mulch to keep soil moist and collect and recycle rainwater.

Drought monitor maps are available at www.ncdrought.org.