Multiple municipalities are asking the public to voluntarily reduce water use. Below are statements issued by the City of Lenoir, the City of Morganton and Catawba County.
LENOIR – The Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW-DMAG) has placed the Catawba-Wateree River Basin in Stage 1 of the group’s Low Inflow Protocol (LIP). City of Lenoir is asking water customers to voluntarily reduce water use by five percent.
The City of Lenoir partners with Duke Energy and other large water users in the Catawba-Wateree River basin to ensure that plenty of water is available to communities along the river. Part of Lenoir’s commitment includes a Water Shortage Response Plan, which directs the City’s response to droughts in the basin.
Under Stage 1, water users are asked to reduce their normal water use by five percent (5%). To conserve water, customers can irrigate landscapes a maximum of one inch per week, wash only full loads in clothes and dishwashers, use spring-loaded nozzles on garden hoses, and identify and repair water leaks
Read more at https://bit.ly/41ZEalT .
MORGANTON – Due to being under a Stage 1 drought conditions, City of Morganton residents are encouraged to voluntarily conserve water.
Water users are encouraged to reduce their water use and improve water use efficiency; however, no penalties apply for noncompliance. Water supply conditions indicate a potential for shortage.
The Catawba Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group announced today that the Catawba Wateree River Basin is in Stage 1 of the group’s Low Inflow Protocol (LIP).
In a release from the advisory group it says, “Voluntary water conservation is requested by all water users across the basin. In response to drought conditions in the region, Duke Energy is requesting lake neighbors who withdraw water from the Catawba-Wateree lakes for irrigation voluntarily limit watering to Tuesdays and Saturdays and only use the minimum amount of water necessary.”
The release said, Stage 1 is a drought stage that requires the first phase of operational adjustments at Duke Energy’s hydroelectric facilities.
Due to below average rainfall since September 2025, water storage in the 11 reservoirs of the Catawba-Wateree River Basin has decreased and stream flows that feed the reservoirs are well below normal.
The City of Morganton Water Resource Department will be monitoring these conditions alongside the Catawba Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group. We will continue to make any new updates as they become available.
NEWTON – Catawba County residents who live in an unincorporated area and receive water services from the City of Hickory should be aware the City of Hickory has declared a Stage 1 Low Inflow Protocol, initiating the first phase of voluntary water conservation.
Communities throughout the Catawba River Basin are asking customers to conserve water due to reduced lake storage across the region, decreasing streamflows, and current drought conditions.
The City of Hickory, in cooperation with other major water suppliers along the Catawba River, and Duke Energy participate in a joint management effort to properly manage the water resources available within the Catawba River Basin. For more than 20 years, this partnership has overseen the development and implementation of the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP), a shared framework used to guide water management decisions during periods of drought or low water availability.
Due to ongoing dry conditions, Hickory City Manager Warren Wood has declared a Stage 1 LIP condition in accordance with the City’s Water Shortage Response Plan. This declaration is based on lower lake storage levels, declining streamflows, and current drought conditions resulting from this year’s lack of rainfall. Warmer temperatures have further contributed to water loss through increased evaporation.
The Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group closely monitors basin conditions and reviews lake levels, streamflow, drought conditions, and groundwater levels each month during drought periods. On April 16, these indicators met the criteria for a Stage 1 LIP declaration.
Stage 1 LIP: Voluntary Conservation
Stage 1 is the first phase of voluntary water conservation. The goal is to reduce overall water use by 3-5%. Customers are encouraged to help meet this target by taking simple steps such as:
Stage 1 is the first phase of voluntary water conservation. The goal is to reduce overall water use by 3-5%. Customers are encouraged to help meet this target by taking simple steps such as:
- Watering outdoors no more than one inch per week
- Reducing lawn and landscape irrigation to no more than two days a week by the following method:
- Odd addresses may water on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
- Even addresses may water on Thursdays and Sundays.
- Unnumbered addresses follow the even address schedule.
- Avoiding watering during daytime hours
- Reducing residential vehicle washing
Customers are asked to maintain this 3-5% reduction until further notice.
Areas Affected
The following partner governmental and nonprofit systems served by the City of Hickory are included in the Stage 1 declaration:
The following partner governmental and nonprofit systems served by the City of Hickory are included in the Stage 1 declaration:
- All customers billed directly by the City of Hickory
- Cities of Conover and Claremont
- Towns of Brookford, Catawba, Long View, and Maiden
- Portions of Alexander and Catawba counties
- Icard Township Water Corporation
What’s Next
If drought conditions continue, higher LIP stages may be declared. Advanced stages include mandatory water conservation measures. The City will provide updates as conditions change.
If drought conditions continue, higher LIP stages may be declared. Advanced stages include mandatory water conservation measures. The City will provide updates as conditions change.
For questions, customers are encouraged to contact their local water provider. Additional conservation tips are available from the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group at www.catawbawatereewmg.org.