Hot, Dry Summer Pushes the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin into Drought Watch

Residents are asked to conserve water

The Yadkin-Pee Dee Drought Management Advisory Group (YPD-DMAG) announced today that because of months of hot temperatures and reduced rainfall, the Yadkin Pee-Dee River Basin has entered a drought watch stage.

Stage 0 of the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) is a drought watch stage alerting the YPD-DMAG members to monitor conditions more closely.  It is the first of five drought stages outlined by the YPD-DMAG.

Water inflow into the Yadkin Basin is down nearly 50 percent from historical averages. Stages of LIP indicators are based on the following triggers:

* Water storage in the four-reservoir Yadkin Hydroelectric Project (operated by Alcoa Power Generating, Inc. (APGI)) and in the two-reservoir Yadkin-Pee Dee Hydroelectric Project (operated by Duke Energy) has declined.

* Stream flows feeding the reservoirs are well below normal.

* U.S. Drought Monitor trigger indicates most of the basin is experiencing moderate drought conditions.

The LIP is the drought management plan developed during the relicensing of the two hydroelectric projects to share responsibility and set priorities to conserve the limited water supply during drought conditions.  The LIP coordinates actions aimed at reducing water use from APGI’s High Rock Lake, Tuckertown Reservoir, Badin Lake and Falls Reservoir as well as Duke Energy’s Lake Tillery and Blewett Falls Lake to effectively buy time for rains to return and replenish the lake system’s usable water storage.

APGI and Duke Energy will monitor inflow and lake level conditions and work together to protect the water supply and other uses of the river system to limit the impact of drought on residents and businesses of the Basin.

APGI requested and received a temporary variance from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to conserve water by reducing required minimum flows out of the Yadkin Project. 

The YPD-DMAG was established during relicensing to monitor drought status and to recommend coordinated actions for the DMAG members. Members include North Carolina and South Carolina resource agencies, federal resource agencies, Duke Energy, APGI, homeowner groups and water suppliers.  The YPD-DMAG meets at least monthly when conditions reach Stage 0 or greater of the LIP. For more information about lake levels and drought conditions, visit www.duke-energy.com/lakes/.asp for information on the Duke Energy lakes or www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/reservoir_data.asp for information on the APGI lakes. 

Droughts Conditions Developing along the Yadkin River

People who like to spend time fishing, boating and playing on the lakes along the Yadkin River have enjoyed consistently high water levels throughout the summer recreation season.  But now comes news that the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin is beginning to experience drought conditions. 

The NC Drought Monitor has classified more than 10% of the region as “Moderate Drought.” The National Weather Service has indicated that, based on low stream flows in the Upper Yadkin, drought conditions could worsen. 

We are closely monitoring the developing drought conditions and taking steps to minimize the impact of a drought before it even arrives.

To protect the water supply and downstream environment, Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) will reduce the amount of water it sends downstream (targeting a weekly average release of 1,000 CFS) and begin working with the Yadkin Drought Management Team to identify how to minimize the impact of drought conditions.  The team – comprised of state and federal agencies, hydropower operators, local homeowners, business interests and others – will meet on September 30 to discuss drought conditions, including factors such as actual and forecasted stream flow, precipitation, and ground water levels.

Stay tuned for further information about drought conditions, or visit the NC Drought Monitor for the latest news and updates.