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TAHOE CITY — Raindrops and snowflakes were falling on Lake Tahoe Thursday, but drought has left the lake at its lowest level in eight years — falling below the spillways that feed the Truckee River. 

“The bottom line is were not getting any water out of the lake,” said federal Water Master Garry Stone. 

Officials hope a series of strong storms expected through the weekend and a strengthening El Nino could help reverse dry conditions plaguing the region the last three years. 

If dry conditions continue this winter, substantial water supply problems could come next summer and suppliers would be forced to tap water stored in upstream reservoirs for drought emergencies. 

Sufficient storage remains in Boca Reservoir to maintain the federally mandated flows in the Truckee for a couple more weeks, Stone said. 

By the end of November, only natural flow from creeks and springs will enter the river, which could go nearly dry in places until the spring runoff. 

Tahoe currently is a few centimeters above the spillway rims of 6,223 feet above sea level. Its lowest level ever recorded was 6,220.26 feet on Nov. 30, 1992, in the midst of a lengthy drought. 

When the lake is full, up to 6 feet of water is stored above the natural rim for release into the Truckee River. 

“We’re back in a drought situation again and its just a matter of waiting for some precipitation,” Stone said. 

To raise Lake Tahoe far above its diminished levels, a significantly above-average if not epic winter will be needed, said Lori Williams, general manager of the Truckee Meadows Water Authority.