Lake Powell officials take emergency steps to preserve hydropower from Glen Canyon Dam

The first step is releasing extra water from upstream on the Colorado River this year. The second is water will be held back in Lake Powell itself, as an alternative of being sent to downstream states.

The US Bureau of Reclamation expects the twin actions will enhance Lake Powell by practically 1 million acre-feet of water. The reservoir contained about 5.8 million acre-feet of water as of Tuesday, in line with the bureau, although its full capability is round 25 million acre-feet.

With out the emergency steps, the bureau estimated there was a few 25% probability the Glen Canyon Dam might have stopped producing hydropower by January. The dam generates energy for as many as 5.8 million houses and businesses in seven states.

The agency mentioned in a press release Tuesday's resolution was meant to guard "hydropower generation, the ability's key infrastructure, and the water supply for the city of Web page, Arizona, and the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation."

The emergency actions will purchase the federal government 12 months as it considers longer-term measures.

"We now have by no means taken this step earlier than, but the potential risk on the horizon demands immediate action," Assistant Secretary of Water and Science, Tanya Trujillo told reporters. "We have to work collectively to stabilize the reservoir earlier than we face a bigger crisis."

Lake Powell has dropped round 100 feet in the last three years as the West has been besieged by drought. Because the water degree has fallen, Glen Canyon Dam has lost about 16% of its capability to generate power.

Bryan Hill, common manager of the general public power utility in Web page, Arizona, likened the state of affairs to judgment day.

"We're knocking on the door of judgment day," Hill previously advised CNN. "Judgment day being when we haven't any water to provide anyone."

The choices made for Lake Powell additionally have an effect on its downstream neighbor, Lake Mead, which is the largest reservoir within the nation.

Water cuts for individuals who rely on Lake Mead started in January, and Tuesday's choice could result in additional restrictions.

Lake Mead's water level is now low sufficient to expose one of many reservoir's unique, 1971 water consumption valves for the primary time. The valve can now not draw water, in line with the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the company liable for managing water resources for two.2 million individuals in southern Nevada, together with Las Vegas.

Officers over the weekend made one other disturbing discovery brought on by Lake Mead's plummeting water level: a physique in a barrel police say is a probable murder sufferer from the Eighties.

"The lake has drained dramatically during the last 15 years," said Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Homicide Lieutenant Ray Spencer. "It is possible that we are going to find extra our bodies that have been dumped in Lake Mead" as the water level drops extra.