Agenda - 04-10-2006- - Laserfiche WebLink

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Worsening Drought Conditions for Central NC As of March 30t" much of the Piedmont was upgraded to SEVERE drought conditions while the area of MODERATE drought was expanded further east and south. Highlights from Drought Counsel Meeting March 28th Rainfall... Despite rainfall of around an inch on March 20-21 the rainfall received was less than 50% of normal for the 2 week period. Rainfall over the past 90 days across the piedmont was also 50% of normal or less. In same locations rainfall has been only 25% of normal. Outlook is for continued below normal rainfall through June with lack of heavy rainfall from large synoptic scale systems and Gulf of Mexico moisture. Streams... From USGS...Of great concern is the fact that stream flaws in the piedmont region have dropped to 25-30% of normal over the last 7 to 30 days. There is major concern over haw rapidly stream flow has diminished despite the rains of December and early January. The rapid drop in stream flow is tied to the drop in groundwater. Stream flows in the piedmont are currently at running at low levels only experienced every 25-50 years based on historical USGS records. Groundwater !Wells... The State monitors 43 wells statewide. 25 of the 43 monitoring wells are reporting water levels below the 25th percentile while 15 wells are falling below the 10th percentile. Lakes and Reservoirs... Falls Lake... Current inflow around 119 cfs... normal inflow for early April is 1300 cfs. Despite near normal lake levels the inflow into the lake is an all time record law aver the past 76 years. Jordan Lake... Current inflow around 430 cfs... normal inflow for early April is 2500 cfs. Despite water levels just above normal for this time of year inflow to the lake is at an all time low fora 76 year period of record. Kerr Lake... Current inflow around 3500 cfs... normal inflow far early April is 10,700 cfs. Despite near normal water levels for this time of year inflow to the lake is the second lowest on record for a 76 year period. Forestry... Dry spring has resulted in over 2,000 fires burning more than 8,000 acres in the state. Recent rains dowsed several out of control fires in the east. There is concern over the planting of seedlings within tree farms and the lack of rainfall. Tree farmers are being told to plant seeds deeper than normal based on dry conditions and a prolonged dry period will result in the seeds not germinating. Irrigation of the state tree farm near Goldsboro is also of concern if water levels in Little Creek used for irrigation drop below the system intake.