Catawba River basin still in drought

The Catawba River basin is still in Stage 1 drought, and voluntary conservation is still needed, a drought management group said Tuesday.

Water levels in Catawba reservoirs and stream flows feeding the reservoirs remain below normal despite recent rain, the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group said.

Stage 1 is the second of five drought stages the group uses. It’s been in place since July 20.

Rainfall in Charlotte is 6 inches below normal for the year, the National Weather Service says.

Lake Norman, the largest in the Catawba chain, is 3.5 feet below its target level for this time of year, Duke Energy reports. Other lakes are closer to their targets.

The U.S. Drought Monitor also shows the Catawba basin in moderate drought.

This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 1:05 PM with the headline "Catawba River basin still in drought."