The nearly year-long drought is steadily receding and lake levels are rising again this week, and there's more good news on the horizon. With more rain in the forecast this week, drought conditions are expected to steadily improve. The lake's supply pool is now up to 87%, which experts said approaches a typical level seen during the seasonal ebb and flow of lake levels. Some counties opt to keep restrictionsThe ongoing drought has prompted several counties and towns to keep water restrictions in place. Areas that could see the drought end include Wake County and most of surrounding counties.