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<br />Powell, then the Upper Basin is not at risk and therefore the Secretary can release extra water from <br />Lake Powell in order to equalize storage in Mead and Powell. These extra releases are referred to <br />as "equalization" releases. The importance of these equalization releases and issues surrounding the <br />minimum release will be explored in later chapters. <br /> <br />In even simpler terms, the 602 (a) trigger is the Upper Basin compact insurance policy. The <br />more water we have in storage, the more insurance we have. However, under Article III (e) of the <br />1922 Compact the Upper Basin cannot withhold water from the Lower Basin that cannot be <br />"reasonably used." In setting a 602 (a) level, the Secretary has to balance the Upper Basin's need <br />for insurance water against the Lower Basin's rights under Article III (e). <br /> <br />Page -49- <br />