Happy Sunday! It’s been a while since I shared a weekend waterview.
It’s been a different kind of spring here at the lake. Like much of the southeastern U.S., we’re feeling the effects of drought conditions in North Carolina—thanks to lower-than-normal rainfall and warmer-than-average temperatures.
And it’s showing. . . especially along the shoreline of Lake Norman.
We’re on a well and usually rely on lake-fed and drip irrigation to keep our garden beds and flower containers happy this time of year. But with the lake level so low, our irrigation head has been out of the water for a couple of weeks now.
That’s put a pause on any spring planting and has me rethinking expectations for the season ahead.
Sadly, this won’t be a banner year for our beloved Endless Summer hydrangeas.
They thrive in moist conditions, and right now, “moist” is not a word I’d use to describe our soil. Fingers crossed for the rain in today’s forecast. . .we had just a smattering yesterday, just a tease but not nearly enough to make a dent.
In 20+ years here, we’ve never seen the lake this low in the spring. The shoreline has stretched farther out than usual, revealing wide swaths of mud flats that are normally hidden beneath the water’s edge. Drought conditions are causing fires and are cause for concern for farmers, worried about crop loss.
On the brighter side, the snowball viburnum and azaleas put on a beautiful show for a couple of weeks. . .right on cue for spring.
Their blooms felt especially welcome this year, like little reminders that even in a dry spell, there’s still beauty to be found.
The mallards seem completely unfazed by it all. In fact, they’re quite content, happily rooting around in the newly exposed mud flats like it’s their own personal buffet.
So for now, we wait . . .and watch the skies and hope for rain! 🤞
Is it dry where you are?
Thank you for your visit!
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We’re behind on our rainfall this year as well here in SE Texas. We have had showers the last few weeks of 1/2” or more, but we need more. I dread the summer.
Oh Mary, I gasped at the sight of your lake level! I hope you do get the much needed rain today. We have had rain lately and I haven’t needed to turn on my sprinkler system. Your viburnum and azaleas sure do look gorgeous and such a sight for sore eyes. Happy Sunday and may you have a beautiful week ahead. 😘
I’m so sorry you are in a drought! Having lived on a lake for many years I know how important rainfall is to keep the lake levels up. I live in Oregon and our snowpack is less than usual. We depend on that for replenishment of our aquafer. We have had rain and that helps for now. Sending you good wishes for some spring rains. Your flowers are always so beautiful!
I am praying you get the much needed rain.
It’s frightening when the much needed rain just doesn’t arrive. It appears we’re heading into the second year of drought here in Southwest Missouri with rainfall of an inch or so when this time of year we usually receive 3 – 4 inches every week. It’s sad to think about the trees that cannot survive prolonged drought and the gardens that won’t come to fruition. May we all receive the blessing of rain this Spring to make our world green.
14 inches low here at Lake Anna, VA… Every day I search clouds &…no rain in sight… Our ski boat is high & dry… Central VA is an agriculture oriented location…empathy… Upbeat…roses have never “performed” so beautifully…the David Austin “Galway, ” are “puttin on the ritz!!” franki
Mary, I hope you get a good rain soon. We got a nice rain a couple days ago. It just wasn’t long enough; but it was steady for an hour or so without storms. We are in a drought too. Your lake really needs it! We’re praying we all get rain soon! Clara❤️
Unfortunately, here is the Western US, I can’t remember a time when we weren’t in an extreme drought.
I once lived on a lake that was also a town reservoir. We would have extraordinary years when we couldn’t get the boat out because the lift was on dry land from low water levels. I hope you get some rain before summer, but if not, I know you will find beauty in the new landscape.
Mary, the lake level is so sad. We are now being considered a severe drought area. So little rain and I am concerned for our farmers. We had 1/10 of an inch Saturday morning! Take care!
Hello Mary!Just love ALL and EVERYTHING you post!Could you possibly tell me where you purchased the Red White & Blue Napkins with the gold writing
Mary we are having a drought here in Florida too. Unfortunately, we also have wildfires which go on and on. There is a one now in the Alligator Alley Area of the Picayune Forest which started in early April and has claimed over 1700 acres with evacuations ordered. The good news is that word has come that it is finally about 90-95% contained, but firefighters are praying for rain for assistance. Praying for rain for all our south east neighbors.
Yes, we have been in a moderate drought for all of 2026, and the windy days (seemingly many) make it worse. I even hesitated putting a like on the post. My water bills are going to be crazy high. I’ve only planted a few new things, one a replacement, but annuals always need water and I’ve already switched those out. I’ve been thinking about replacing my macrophilia hydrangeas, and this may be the year (although it won’t be till fall now). I’m glad I decided to wait until fall to make a decision on my grass! It’s always a crap shoot, gardening, isn’t it? We gardeners must be perpetual optimists, that’s all I can say.
Wow! That is so low. I’m praying for you all, so many in the comment are in droughts also. I’m in Kansas and the past three weeks we have had a lot of rain- too much all at once. We got 2” in 40 minutes last week, there was a lot of flooding and roads that were impassable within 20 minutes of the start of the rain. I am afraid it will be like the past few years where it stopped and we are in a drought by June. The farmers here are probably having trouble planting crops and keeping them in place. I wish we could even it out and give you a little. We are having this due to the El Niño effect I guess. I hope you get a week of gently steady rain to fill up the lake, wells, and saturate the ground. I’m thinking of you. Also, love the azelias. Mine are not that big but were pretty this spring.
Mary, it makes my heart sink when I see a lake that low. We’ve been in multi year drought conditions in central Texas. Fortunately we’ve had some consistent rain this month, but I know a long hot summer is coming. I try to plant only heat tolerant and low water need plants, but if summer heat goes into 3 digits for weeks on end, plants struggle. Fortunately I have shade. I know you take joy in the snowball viburnum and azaleas. They look gorgeous, and the blue skies and reflections in the water are peaceful. Let’s hope for refreshing rains to bring the levels back to normal.
Your garden has shown us your patience, nurturing and love, thank you. We wait, quietly by your side, wishing you a beautiful and peaceful paradise. xo
Oh my goodness. My heart sank when I saw your dock. I am so sad to see the level of your lake. I can not even imagine how you are feeling. I pray that rain returns and fills your well and lake. 🙏
Your azelas and viburnum are gorgeous.
Praying for rain my dear friend.
Mary, I’m late to the party but had a new baby grandson born over the weekend.
It has been very dry in northwest Georgia but we had lots of rain for two days now so the grass is definitely looking greener!
I hope your area gets lots of rain soon. Praying for the coal farmers as well.
Your azaleas and viburnum are gorgeous!
The lake still holds so much beauty even in these circumstances.
Thanks for sharing!
Mary, I am so sorry you all are in such a drought. I am praying that you will receive much needed rain. I always enjoy seeing your beautiful flowers and shrubs. Hopefully May will be a better month for you all
The drought is horrible. We live in a lake community in northern Illinois and it rained for a week and a half. Everyone is flooded. Lake life is fun until Mother Nature shows her bad side.
Hi Mary ~ wow ! It must be so upsetting to see Lake Norman like that. Up here in northwestern CT, they’re saying we are slightly under our norm for rain. We had a banner year for snow so it’s kind of confusing as to why they say this, but it is what it is. I shall 🙏🏻 for nice soft soaking rainfall for you. Hugs, Dorinda