A record hot and dry spring in Nova Scotia means that the province's more than 5,100 lakes are getting low already.

Mike Taylor, who walks his dog regularly at Long Lake in Halifax, has noticed the drop.

"I haven't seen it this low ever before, and I've been coming here for years - six or seven years. For this time of year, it's pretty amazing how low it is," he said Tuesday.

According to Environment Canada, 2010 has so far been the driest year on record in the Maritimes.

For example, Halifax's Stanfield International Airport has received barely one half of its normal rain and snow. At the same time, the average temperatures were between one and three degrees above normal.

The province doesn't monitor water levels in rivers and lakes, but Dave Doggett of novascotiafishing.com can see the difference.

"It's the lowest I've ever seen in my 25 years of angling," Doggett said.

Many municipalities in Nova Scotia, including Halifax Regional Municipality, draw their drinking water from lakes.

Carl Yates, general manager of Halifax Water, said dams are so far keeping the utility's reservoir topped up.

"Right now, our lakes are full. We're not spilling anything, but we don't spill if we don't have to at this time of year to make sure we start the season full to the gunwales. And, right now, we're full to the gunwales," Yates said.

He said dry years are all part of the natural cycle. But, if there were several back-to-back dry years, the public could face more aggressive conservation measures.