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

Step one is releasing more water from upstream on the Colorado River this year. The second is water will probably be held again in Lake Powell itself, instead of being sent to downstream states.

The US Bureau of Reclamation expects the dual actions will boost 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, though its full capability is around 25 million acre-feet.

With out the emergency steps, the bureau estimated there was a couple of 25% likelihood 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 company mentioned in a press release Tuesday's choice was intended to protect "hydropower technology, the ability's key infrastructure, and the water provide for town of Web page, Arizona, and the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation."

The emergency actions will buy the federal authorities 12 months because it considers longer-term measures.

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

Lake Powell has dropped round 100 ft within the final 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 energy.

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

"We're knocking on the door of judgment day," Hill beforehand advised CNN. "Judgment day being when we haven't any water to present 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 depend on Lake Mead began in January, and Tuesday's resolution might result in additional restrictions.

Lake Mead's water degree is now low enough to show one of many reservoir's authentic, 1971 water intake valves for the primary time. The valve can not draw water, in line with the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the company liable for managing water resources for 2.2 million people in southern Nevada, including Las Vegas.

Officials 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 homicide sufferer from the Nineteen Eighties.

"The lake has drained dramatically during the last 15 years," mentioned Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Murder Lieutenant Ray Spencer. "It's likely that we are going to discover extra bodies which have been dumped in Lake Mead" as the water stage drops extra.