Boaters are heading out early on Falls Lake in Wake County, but the visibly lower water levels are raising concerns as the region enters another week of drought. The lake is currently still under Stage 1 water restrictions, with 84 percent of its water supply pool remaining.
For longtime fishermen like George Trizano, the conditions are unlike anything he has seen before.
"If it gets any lower, I won't come here," Trizano said.
The low water levels pose multiple challenges for boaters and anglers. Trizano said shallow conditions increase the risk of damage and safety issues on the lake.
"It brings a lot of dangerous to the boat. It brings a lot of danger to the lower unit because now the water is so low that there's rocks and stumps and other things that are down there," he said.
Shallower water is also changing fish behavior, complicating efforts for anglers who are used to fishing familiar spots.
"When it's this shallow, it not only throws the fish off in depth, because last year they're very territorial. So last year they went where they went. And now this year they're trying to go to the same place.
"But being that it's so low, the water so low, they're not going. They can't go there," Trizano said. As water levels continue to drop, Trizano worries about less-experienced boaters facing increased risks on the lake.
"But the water gets any lower. It's going to be an issue. --- Guys are going to get stuck more because they're not familiar with the water or they're not taking the proper precautions. So be safe out there," he said.
North Carolina remains in a severe drought. While the burn ban has been lifted in Wake County, it is still in effect in some neighboring counties, including Moore and Chatham.