The rain North Carolina may receive over the next couple of days won’t come close to solving the severe drought affecting the state.
The impacts are showing up in many ways, including water restrictions, crop failures, and now dead fish.
In his 50 years around Lake Wilson, Craig Blizzard said he has never seen conditions this bad.
“I’ve seen it low many times, but I have never seen it this low,” he said.
Blizzard shared photos on Facebook showing dead fish deposits along the lake, prompting concern and questions from community members.
“Just pray for rain, is all I can say. It’s just a sad situation. We’re in desperate need of rain,” he said.
According to North Carolina Wildlife officials, when bodies of water begin to dry up, wildlife is affected, especially fish, which depend on deeper, cooler water to survive.
NC Fisheries Biologist David Belkoski explained the challenges fish face as water levels continue to drop.
“As the water gets warmer over the summer, water levels get lower. Fish get stressed because of low oxygen levels in the water,” he said.
Belkoski said these conditions typically occur later in the summer or early fall, but this year’s severe drought has accelerated the process.
He said that there is little that can be done beyond hoping for significant rainfall.
“It’s going to be a stressful summer for all wildlife. It’s going to be stressful for us too. I think anything that needs water is going to be a little bit more stressed out, he said.
For longtime anglers like Blizzard, the sight is especially difficult.
“Fishing is my passion. I’ve done it for all my life, and it’s something, as being a fisherman, you just hate to see. It’s really heartbreaking,” he said.
Lake Wilson is not the city’s primary drinking water source, so the municipal water supply is not currently affected. A city spokesperson said staff members are closely monitoring conditions and are prepared to implement restrictions if necessary.