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

The first step is releasing more water from upstream on the Colorado River this yr. The second is water shall be held back in Lake Powell itself, as an alternative of being despatched to downstream states.

The US Bureau of Reclamation expects the dual actions will enhance Lake Powell by almost 1 million acre-feet of water. The reservoir contained about 5.8 million acre-feet of water as of Tuesday, according to the bureau, although its full capability is round 25 million acre-feet.

Without the emergency steps, the bureau estimated there was about a 25% probability the Glen Canyon Dam may have stopped producing hydropower by January. The dam generates power for as many as 5.8 million properties and companies in seven states.

The agency stated in a press release Tuesday's determination was meant to guard "hydropower era, the power'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 buy the federal government 12 months because it considers longer-term measures.

"We have now never taken this step earlier than, but the potential risk on the horizon demands prompt motion," Assistant Secretary of Water and Science, Tanya Trujillo informed reporters. "We have to work collectively to stabilize the reservoir earlier than we face a larger disaster."

Lake Powell has dropped around 100 toes within the final three years as the West has been besieged by drought. As the water degree has fallen, Glen Canyon Dam has lost about 16% of its capability to generate power.

Bryan Hill, common supervisor of the general public energy utility in Web page, Arizona, likened the scenario to judgment day.

"We're knocking on the door of judgment day," Hill previously advised CNN. "Judgment day being when we have no water to provide anyone."

The decisions made for Lake Powell also have an effect on its downstream neighbor, Lake Mead, which is the most important reservoir in the nation.

Water cuts for many who rely on Lake Mead started in January, and Tuesday's resolution could lead to further restrictions.

Lake Mead's water level is now low sufficient to show one of many reservoir's authentic, 1971 water intake valves for the primary time. The valve can no longer draw water, in response to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the agency chargeable for managing water assets for 2.2 million individuals in southern Nevada, including Las Vegas.

Officers over the weekend made one other disturbing discovery brought on by Lake Mead's plummeting water degree: a physique in a barrel police say is a possible homicide victim from the 1980s.

"The lake has drained dramatically over the past 15 years," stated Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Homicide Lieutenant Ray Spencer. "It is likely that we will find extra bodies that have been dumped in Lake Mead" as the water degree drops extra.