Lake Powell officers take emergency steps to protect hydropower from Glen Canyon Dam

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

The US Bureau of Reclamation expects the dual 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 accordance with the bureau, though its full capability is around 25 million acre-feet.

Without the emergency steps, the bureau estimated there was a few 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 mentioned in a press release Tuesday's determination was intended to protect "hydropower generation, the facility'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.

"Now we have never taken this step before, however the potential risk on the horizon demands prompt motion," Assistant Secretary of Water and Science, Tanya Trujillo instructed reporters. "We have to work together to stabilize the reservoir before we face a bigger disaster."

Lake Powell has dropped round 100 ft within the last three years because the West has been besieged by drought. As the water level has fallen, Glen Canyon Dam has lost about 16% of its capacity to generate energy.

Bryan Hill, common supervisor 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 informed CNN. "Judgment day being when we have no water to present anyone."

The decisions made for Lake Powell additionally affect its downstream neighbor, Lake Mead, which is the biggest reservoir within the country.

Water cuts for many who depend on Lake Mead began in January, and Tuesday's decision could result in further restrictions.

Lake Mead's water level is now low enough to expose one of the reservoir's unique, 1971 water consumption valves for the first time. The valve can no longer draw water, based on the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the company accountable for managing water resources for 2.2 million folks in southern Nevada, together with Las Vegas.

Officials over the weekend made another disturbing discovery brought on by Lake Mead's plummeting water stage: a physique in a barrel police say is a possible murder sufferer from the 1980s.

"The lake has drained dramatically over the last 15 years," stated Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Murder Lieutenant Ray Spencer. "It's probably that we'll find extra bodies which were dumped in Lake Mead" as the water level drops extra.