Treading lightly with the water we've got and waiting for more will ensure that there's plenty when summer comes.

They've adhered to the restrictions well. We just need them to continue that patience and to continue to use as little water as they can if this weather pattern that's predicted comes true.

We're actually more in a deficit than we were at the height of the drought when the lake was at its lowest level back on Nov. 20.

This is an unusual event in that it's lasted so long and that it's occurred at such a unique time, because people think of drought conditions in the summertime. It's just not intuitive for this time of year for there to be a severe drought condition for North Carolina.

You want to water very deeply and allow the moisture to soak in. Let the grass dry out almost to the point of wilting before watering again.

It is clear that North Dakota, and the Red River Valley, desperately need a supplemental source of water before the next drought strikes. The question becomes, how can the residents of the valley promise future generations a better way of life, without a plan in place to address the critical water issues?