Drought conditions in South Carolina continue to expand, with the entire upstate region now in severe or extreme drought. As of November 9, 2023, 90% of the state is under drier-than-normal conditions, according to the US Drought Monitor.
The most significant change in the latest drought monitor update was in the Greenville area, where portions of the county have been bumped up to an extreme drought. This means that conditions are so dry that crop and pasture losses are likely, and water shortages are becoming common.
The rest of the upstate is in severe drought, meaning that crop and pasture losses are possible, and water restrictions are likely.
The Midlands and Lowcountry regions of South Carolina are in moderate drought, meaning that some dry weather stress to crops and pastures is possible, and voluntary water conservation is encouraged.
The US Drought Monitor estimates that 2.3 million South Carolinians are currently living in drought areas.
Mike Griffith, Carolina Weather Authority says, “according to NOAA, we are in a strong El Niño which is expected to persist through the winter. However, we have been seeing more La Niña-like conditions which has encouraged warm and dry, which explains the widespread drought. We are seeing signs from computer models that rain will start to become more frequent as we head into the winter months. But it might not be right at the start of winter.”
In addition to the drought conditions, lakes in the Carolinas are also experiencing low water levels. Lake Wylie and Lake Norman, two of the states’ most popular lakes for recreation, are both below their target levels.
As of November 11, 2023, Lake Wylie is at 95.0 feet, which is 2 feet below its target level. Lake Norman is at 94.4 feet, which is 2.3 feet below its target level.
The low water levels are due to a combination of factors, including the drought, increased water usage, and normal evaporation.
The low water levels can create a number of challenges for boaters, anglers, and other recreational users. It can also make it more difficult for Duke Energy to generate hydroelectric power at its dams on the lakes.
Duke Energy has announced that they are implementing Stage 1 drought restrictions, which encourages people to voluntarily save water. Some of the things that customers can do to save water include:
- Watering lawns and gardens less often
- Taking shorter showers
- Fixing any leaky faucets or pipes
- Washing full loads of laundry and dishes
- Using a rain barrel to collect rainwater for watering plants
Drought conditions can have a significant impact on the state’s economy, environment, and public health. It is important for everyone to do their part to conserve water during this time.
