"We come out here frequently and watched the lake level drop rapidly," said Scott Sherrell, a boater. "I've been out on this lake for over 20 years. Watching this kind of level, it kind of reminds me of living out in California."
Other boaters said the changing conditions are affecting both recreation and safety.
"A lot of stuff in the water that you need to watch out for. You got to pay attention," said Lonnie Renfro, who visits Falls Lake several times a week. "Lake levels are way low compared to what they have been in the past."
Renfro said the drop in water levels has also affected fishing patterns.
"Since I'm mostly bass fishing, the places where I was catching fish earlier is completely dry," he said. "You have to learn different techniques, different patterns, and learn where they're at."
Falls Lake serves as Raleigh's primary drinking water source, with the city drawing about 58% of its supply from the reservoir. According to city data, the lake's water supply pool is currently at 75%, below the 85% trigger level.
"I'm pretty concerned about lake levels right now. I know we got rain recently, but I don't think it's going to be anywhere near enough," said Sherrell.
Last month, Raleigh Water activated Stage 1 water-use restrictions, limiting when residents can water their properties. Those restrictions remain in effect.
City officials noted that secondary water sources -- Lake Benson and Lake Wheeler -- are both near full capacity.
Still, recent data from the North Carolina State Climate Office shows significant precipitation deficits since August 2025, including nearly 18 inches in Raleigh, about 19 and a half inches in Boone, and just over a foot in Fayetteville.
Boaters say more rain is needed to reverse the trend.
"We need lots of rain," Renfro said. "I ain't scared to fish in it."
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