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 can be held back in Lake Powell itself, instead of being despatched to downstream states.

The US Bureau of Reclamation expects the twin 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, in accordance with the bureau, although its full capacity is round 25 million acre-feet.

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

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

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

"We have by no means taken this step before, but the potential risk on the horizon demands immediate motion," Assistant Secretary of Water and Science, Tanya Trujillo instructed reporters. "We need to work collectively to stabilize the reservoir earlier than we face a larger disaster."

Lake Powell has dropped around 100 toes in the last 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, general 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 previously informed CNN. "Judgment day being when we have no water to provide anyone."

The decisions 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 many who depend on Lake Mead started in January, and Tuesday's choice might result in further restrictions.

Lake Mead's water stage is now low sufficient to show one of many reservoir's unique, 1971 water intake valves for the first time. The valve can no longer draw water, according to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the company chargeable 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 level: a physique in a barrel police say is a possible murder victim from the Eighties.

"The lake has drained dramatically over the past 15 years," stated Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Homicide Lieutenant Ray Spencer. "It's possible that we are going to discover additional our bodies which were dumped in Lake Mead" because the water stage drops more.