Falls Lake, which is the main drinking water supply for Raleigh and eastern Wake County, is at 90 percent of its water supply. Jordan Lake, which serves Cary and other nearby towns, is at 95 percent-plus. There's no question that things are far better than they were last fall and winter, when alarms were sounding and emergency measures were being taken. But drought conditions are still in effect, and conservation measures are in place.

Complacency isn't an option. Western North Carolina in particular is in a serious drought situation, and it doesn't look as though the remnants of Tropical Storm Fay will provide much relief. There are lesser degrees of trouble across much of the state. Government curbs on wasteful water use have been valuable, and it's clear they have to stay in place for now. Necessity of last year gave a push to wise invention.

It's hoped, of course that the rainfall that traditionally comes in winter months will restore supplies, and indeed, forecasters believe that the upcoming months may bring a normal season for rain. That will be welcome to those in the western counties, who are seeing slivers instead of streams in the offshoots of the French Broad River, the Catawba River and the Upper Yadkin basin.

One hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey said that it's as if the drought of last year, which hit hardest in central North Carolina, had sort of moved on, but settled in another region. It's rather like members of a large family passing a cold back and forth.

Many North Carolina communities rely on surface waters for drinking, of course, but the state's rivers and lakes and streams also are part of the draw for the tourism industry, for fishermen, boaters, vacation homes, etc. When the west is parched, in other words, everyone is swallowing a little harder.

Whatever its cause, the practical outcome of drought remains the same, and it is of economical and ecological concern. Safeguards are in place. And until the state enjoys a few months of gully-washers, so they must remain.

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