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 12 months. The second is water will 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 practically 1 million acre-feet of water. The reservoir contained about 5.8 million acre-feet of water as of Tuesday, based on the bureau, though its full capacity is around 25 million acre-feet.

With out the emergency steps, the bureau estimated there was about a 25% probability the Glen Canyon Dam may 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 statement Tuesday's determination was meant to guard "hydropower technology, the ability's key infrastructure, and the water supply for the town of Page, Arizona, and the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation."

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

"We now have never taken this step before, however the potential threat on the horizon demands immediate action," Assistant Secretary of Water and Science, Tanya Trujillo instructed reporters. "We need to work together to stabilize the reservoir earlier than we face a bigger crisis."

Lake Powell has dropped round 100 toes 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, general supervisor of the general public power utility in Page, Arizona, likened the scenario to judgment day.

"We're knocking on the door of judgment day," Hill beforehand told CNN. "Judgment day being when we haven't any water to present anyone."

The selections made for Lake Powell also have an effect on its downstream neighbor, Lake Mead, which is the most important reservoir in the country.

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

Lake Mead's water level is now low sufficient to show one of the reservoir's unique, 1971 water consumption valves for the primary time. The valve can now not draw water, in line with the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the agency responsible for managing water sources for 2.2 million individuals in southern Nevada, together with Las Vegas.

Officials 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 murder sufferer from the 1980s.

"The lake has drained dramatically over the past 15 years," mentioned Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Murder Lieutenant Ray Spencer. "It is seemingly that we are going to discover extra our bodies which were dumped in Lake Mead" because the water degree drops extra.