News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Rain puts Falls Lake above full

Published: Apr 06, 2008 12:30 AM
Modified: Apr 06, 2008 02:25 AM

Rain puts Falls Lake above full

But hold that flush: Raleigh's water restrictions still in effect

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Our cup runneth over!

For now.

Falls Lake was one-tenth of a foot above full late Saturday evening.

"Full" for Falls Lake is 251.5 feet. The lake reached 251.6 feet.

Raleigh received about a quarter of an inch of rain Saturday, according to the National Weather Service, and the city was expected to receive another one-tenth of an inch overnight.

But don't ditch the rain barrels yet. City officials won't consider letting up on water restrictions until Monday, if then.

The NWS said a drying trend will begin today. The next rain chance will be Friday or Saturday.

Most of the Triangle received a half-inch to an inch of rain Saturday.

Durham received 1.26 inches of rain, while Holly Springs had 1.15, according to the National Weather Service. Raleigh-Durham International Airport reported 0.58 inches. Winston-Salem had 1.26, Fayetteville 0.95 and Greensboro 0.75.

There's a 30 percent chance of rain early today.

The state's Drought Management Advisory Council updates drought classifications every week. Stream flow, soil moisture and vegetation are considered along with rainfall. The Triangle, since early 2007, has had a rainfall deficit of up to 10 inches.

Holly Springs, Cary and Durham recently have eased their water restrictions after 5.5 inches of rain in March, more than an inch above normal. The Raleigh City Council voted to ease restrictions when the water supply portion of Falls Lake reaches 90 percent capacity. As of late March, it was at 76.6 percent.

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