Lake Powell officers take emergency steps to protect 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 again in Lake Powell itself, as an alternative of being sent to downstream states.

The US Bureau of Reclamation expects the dual actions will boost 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, although its full capability is round 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 homes and companies in seven states.

The company said in a statement Tuesday's determination was meant to protect "hydropower technology, the facility's key infrastructure, and the water supply for the city of Web 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 have never taken this step earlier than, however the potential danger 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 crisis."

Lake Powell has dropped around 100 ft in the last three years as the West has been besieged by drought. As the water degree has fallen, Glen Canyon Dam has misplaced about 16% of its capacity to generate energy.

Bryan Hill, general supervisor of the general public power utility in Web page, Arizona, likened the situation to judgment day.

"We're knocking on the door of judgment day," Hill previously advised CNN. "Judgment day being when we have no water to give anybody."

The choices made for Lake Powell also affect its downstream neighbor, Lake Mead, which is the largest reservoir within the nation.

Water cuts for many who rely on Lake Mead began in January, and Tuesday's decision may lead to further restrictions.

Lake Mead's water level is now low sufficient to reveal one of the reservoir's unique, 1971 water intake valves for the primary time. The valve can now not draw water, in response to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the agency chargeable for managing water assets for 2.2 million folks in southern Nevada, including Las Vegas.

Officials over the weekend made another disturbing discovery brought on by Lake Mead's plummeting water degree: a body in a barrel police say is a likely homicide victim from the 1980s.

"The lake has drained dramatically over the last 15 years," mentioned Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Homicide Lieutenant Ray Spencer. "It's seemingly that we will find further our bodies which have been dumped in Lake Mead" because the water stage drops more.