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 yr. The second is water might 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 practically 1 million acre-feet of water. The reservoir contained about 5.8 million acre-feet of water as of Tuesday, in line with the bureau, though its full capacity is around 25 million acre-feet.

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

The agency stated in a press release Tuesday's choice was meant to guard "hydropower technology, the facility's key infrastructure, and the water supply for the city of 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 now have by no means taken this step earlier than, but the potential threat on the horizon demands prompt action," Assistant Secretary of Water and Science, Tanya Trujillo advised reporters. "We have to work collectively to stabilize the reservoir before we face a larger disaster."

Lake Powell has dropped around 100 ft 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 power.

Bryan Hill, basic manager of the 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 haven't any water to offer anyone."

The selections made for Lake Powell additionally have an effect on its downstream neighbor, Lake Mead, which is the biggest reservoir within the country.

Water cuts for individuals who rely on Lake Mead started in January, and Tuesday's determination may lead to further restrictions.

Lake Mead's water level is now low sufficient to show one of many reservoir's unique, 1971 water consumption valves for the primary time. The valve can now not draw water, based on the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the company liable for managing water resources for 2.2 million people in southern Nevada, including Las Vegas.

Officers over the weekend made one other disturbing discovery introduced on by Lake Mead's plummeting water level: a body in a barrel police say is a possible homicide sufferer from the Eighties.

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