Recent rains have not reversed the trend of falling water levels at Lake Springfield, and city officials say it may be necessary to move to the next stage of water restrictions.
The lake is about three-and-a-half feet below full pool, and roughly two feet below normal for this time of year. And levels are still dropping, primarily because of evaporation.
CWLP water manager Tom Skelly says within the next several weeks, the city may have to look at moving to "Stage 2" of water restrictions, which could include surcharges for customers who exceed a certain usage level. And even tighter rules are possible next spring if the drought drags on.
