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 will likely be held again in Lake Powell itself, instead of being sent to downstream states.

The US Bureau of Reclamation expects the dual actions will enhance 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 capability is around 25 million acre-feet.

With out 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 energy for as many as 5.8 million properties and companies in seven states.

The agency stated in a statement 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 purchase the federal authorities 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 action," Assistant Secretary of Water and Science, Tanya Trujillo advised reporters. "We have to work together to stabilize the reservoir before 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 stage has fallen, Glen Canyon Dam has lost about 16% of its capacity to generate energy.

Bryan Hill, normal 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 beforehand instructed CNN. "Judgment day being when we have no water to give anybody."

The decisions made for Lake Powell also affect its downstream neighbor, Lake Mead, which is the most important reservoir within the country.

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

Lake Mead's water stage is now low sufficient to show one of the reservoir's unique, 1971 water intake valves for the primary time. The valve can now not draw water, in line with the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the company answerable for managing water sources for 2.2 million folks in southern Nevada, including Las Vegas.

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

"The lake has drained dramatically over the last 15 years," mentioned Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Murder Lieutenant Ray Spencer. "It is doubtless that we will discover extra our bodies that have been dumped in Lake Mead" as the water level drops more.