Lake Powell officers 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 might 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 increase 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.

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

The company mentioned in an announcement Tuesday's decision was intended to guard "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 purchase the federal government 12 months because it considers longer-term measures.

"We have never taken this step before, however the potential danger on the horizon demands prompt motion," Assistant Secretary of Water and Science, Tanya Trujillo advised reporters. "We have to work collectively to stabilize the reservoir earlier than we face a bigger crisis."

Lake Powell has dropped around 100 feet in the final three years because the West has been besieged by drought. Because the water level has fallen, Glen Canyon Dam has misplaced about 16% of its capability to generate energy.

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

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

The selections 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 began in January, and Tuesday's resolution may lead to additional restrictions.

Lake Mead's water degree is now low enough to show one of the reservoir's original, 1971 water intake valves for the first time. The valve can now not draw water, in keeping with the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the agency accountable for managing water sources for 2.2 million individuals in southern Nevada, including Las Vegas.

Officials over the weekend made another disturbing discovery brought on by Lake Mead's plummeting water stage: a body in a barrel police say is a probable homicide victim from the Nineteen Eighties.

"The lake has drained dramatically over the past 15 years," said Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Murder Lieutenant Ray Spencer. "It's likely that we'll find additional our bodies that have been dumped in Lake Mead" because the water level drops extra.