Despite the recent rain, drought conditions persist throughout Northwest Arkansas. Unfortunately, several inches of rain would not impact Beaver Lake, which is about 12 feet below normal, said Beaver Lake Park Ranger Alan Bland.
Water levels at Beaver Lake are 16 feet above the record lows, which visited the lake in 1976 and 77. In fact, the lake was lower just a few years ago.
"The lowest it's been in a while is in 2006. It got to 1,105 (feet above sea level), so if it were to go down three feet more than what it is today, we would match the 2006 (levels)," Bland said.
Despite the fact water levels are low, there is no reason for Northwest Arkansans to be concerned.
"We get a lot of people that's moved in here in the last 10 or 15 years," Bland said. "And they see it now and we get a lot of calls and concern---is there enough water, is there enough water to drink, are you gonna be able to generate enough electricity? Absolutely, no problem."
Hundreds of thousands of Arkansans from Harrison all the way to the Oklahoma border get their water from Beaver Lake, and despite appearances, there's plenty of water for them to drink.
The dam provides electricity to Northwest Arkansans, and Bland said that isn't in jeopardy either.
"You see (the lake levels) and you go, oh my gosh, this is just terrible," Bland said. "But it's just literally a drop in the bucket. It's designed to do this---not a problem."