(Monday, November 2, 2026) Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW-DMAG) News Release:

The Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW-DMAG) announced today that the Catawba-Wateree River Basin has moved from Stage 2 of the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) to Stage 1 indicating an improvement in water availability.

Moving to Stage 1 allows water suppliers to lift mandatory water use restrictions in place under Stage 2., including mandatory limits on nonessential water use – measures that were put in place to help protect the region’s shared water supply.

Rainfall in recent months has increased water storage in 11 Duke Energy reservoirs and improved stream flows throughout the river basin. The basin first entered Stage 1 on April 16, 2026, and moved to Stage 2 on May 1, 2026, after dry weather and below-average rainfall each month since September 2025 reduced reservoir storage and left stream flows well below normal. During Stage 2, Duke Energy also adjusted hydro operations to preserve lake storage.

Stage 1 is the second of five drought stages in the LIP, which range from Stage 0 to Stage 4. Stage determinations consider lake levels, tributary inflows and the U.S. Drought Monitor. The LIP is a regional drought plan that helps major basin water users coordinate conservation priorities and share responsibility.