Tuckasegee River Basin Low Inflow Protocol Implementation
Please read below for an update regarding drought conditions in our area
On July 16, 2026, Duke Energy announced that the East Fork and West Fork of the Tuckasegee River entered Stage 1 drought conditions following an extended period of below-normal rainfall, very low streamflows and declining water levels at Bear Creek and Tanasee Creek Reservoirs.
Stage 1 is the first of six drought stages outlined in Duke Energy's Low Inflow Protocol (LIP), a regional drought management plan used to manage water storage and river flows on the Tuckasegee River system during dry conditions.
All mainstem recreation releases will be reduced by one-half hour. Recreation flows are still planned to arrive in Dillsboro by 10:30 AM however, flows are expected to begin receding around 3:30 PM. Also, the West Fork Recreation Bypass Releases will be reduced by one hour. The releases will begin at 10:00 AM and end at 3:00 PM.









