Durham's food supply threatened as prolonged drought drains water sources like Lake Michie

ByAkilah Davis WTVD logo

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 10:38PM

Drought drains Durham lake, threatens food supply

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The effects of the ongoing drought at Lake Michie are visible in the cracked soil where water should be and the impact is rippling into community gardens that help feed local families.

At Goodness Grows, a community garden operated by Christus Victor Lutheran Church since 2018, volunteers say this season has been unlike any other. Buckets fill quickly with dry, brittle leaves as plants struggle to survive the lack of rainfall.

"It's not normal," said Barb Trapp-Moen, who helps run the garden. "You can hear the crunch."

Trapp-Moen said crops such as cucumbers, okra and tomatoes are wilting faster than usual, stunting growth and reducing yields. Tomato plants, she said, are curling and drying out long before they should.

"We should be having green leaves longer," she said. "They won't produce as much."

Water restrictions tighten

As conditions worsen, the city of Durham is urging residents to conserve water. Hand-watering with a hose or watering can is still allowed, but sprinkler systems are prohibited under current restrictions.

"Our lakes are very low," said James Lim, Durham's water efficiency program manager. "The region is in exceptional drought. We want to make sure people are doing what they can to help save water."

Durham is now purchasing water from Cary, which draws from Jordan Lake. The state has allocated water from Jordan Lake to Durham, but the city does not yet have the infrastructure to access it directly.

"We're paying Cary to pump it and treat it for us," Lim said.

Food demand rising as supply shrinks

Goodness Grows donates its produce to the Parktown Food Hub, where demand continues to climb. But the drought is making it harder to keep up.

"Not as much fresh produce as last year or even the year before," Trapp-Moen said.

What's next

Durham water officials say a non-destructive tropical storm could provide the rainfall needed to ease drought conditions. Without significant rain, the city could move into Stage 3 water restrictions within a few months.