Trying to lay a water line down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon is not easy, and not inexpensive, and that's why it's being done piecemeal.
Back in January work began to replace the Transcanyon Pipeline near Phantom Ranch. As of April 24, the contractor had replaced more than a quarter-mile of pipe. The contractor—Ortega Plumbing and Heating of Albuquerque, New Mexico—has an additional quarter-mile of pipe to place in the ground and anticipates completing the project in July.
Built between 1965 and 1970, the TCP was the largest and most complex project taken on by the National Park Service during that time. Now nearing 50 years in age, the TCP has surpassed its expected length of service by more than two decades, according to the Park Service. Sixteen miles long, stretching from Roaring Springs to the South Rim across the Colorado River, the aging pipeline breaks between five and 30 times a year, making replacement and construction necessary.
Replacement of the entire pipeline will cost an estimated $100–150 million, park officials say. This current project only addresses immediate issues in the Phantom Ranch area, where frequent breaks cause highest risk to visitors and facilities. To patch this part of the pipeline, the contractor had 121,500 pounds of pipe, three temporary 5,000 gallon potable water storage tanks, and one mini-excavator flown into the canyon.
Until the project is finished, the work may require temporarily shutting down the drinking water system along the corridor trails. All hikers, backpackers, and trail runners must have an alternative way to treat creek water. Construction may also affect power to the Phantom Ranch area. Additionally, hikers and guests of Phantom Ranch facilities may experience noise and dust and should follow detour signs and stay out of closed areas, which include portions of the North Kaibab Trail near Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground.
Individuals who have backcountry campground reservations and have questions about impacts of construction work during their trip should contact the Backcountry Information Center at 928-638-7875. Guests with advance reservations at Phantom Ranch should contact Xanterra Central Reservations at 1-888-297-2757 with any questions about their reservations.
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Comments
And if the big proposed mega-development at Tusayan is allowed to proceed, this pipeline will become even more vital to the park.
This should have been the highest priority for NPS. Not the 100 million given to Xanterra.
This pipeline is certainly an example of critical infrastructure. There is no viable backup plan for providing this much water to the South Rim.
When I was at Albright in 1968, almost all water was brought in by railroad tank car. Construction on the pipe was underway and some water was, as I recall, pumped up from Indian Gardens.
Given present day visitation -- which is a WHOLE lot more than it was then -- it's hard to fathom what would happen if the pipeline was destroyed somehow. This makes defeat of the developers' plans for Tusyan all the more critical.
How does Tusyan effect the pipeline water?