A water shortage on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will force closure of hotels there, the National Park Service announced Wednesday afternoon.
Four breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline that brings water from the North Rim to the South Rim is forcing the park to implement Stage 4 water restrictions beginning Thursday afternoon. The breaks in the 12-and-a-half-mile-long pipeline have made it impossible to pump water to either the South or the North rims, a park release said.
As a result, the Park Service is implementing the following measures for the foreseeable future:
- Overnight Guest Lodging: Effective Thursday, August 29, all park concessions will halt overnight accommodations. This includes hotel facilities operated by Xanterra, such as El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and Phantom Ranch, as well as Delaware North’s Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village. Overnight hotel accommodations located outside the park in the town of Tusayan will not be impacted by changes in park operations.
- Dry Camping: Only dry camping will be permitted. Spigot access at campgrounds on the South Rim will be turned off, though faucets in bathrooms will remain operational. Water spigot access will be available at the Mather Campground check-in kiosk.
- No fires will be allowed on the South Rim and inner canyon areas. Fire restrictions prohibit all wood burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbeques. For more information on fire restrictions, visit the park’s Fire Information webpage.
- Operational Services: The park will remain open for day use. All South Rim food and beverage services, the Grand Canyon Clinic, and the Post Office will remain open. The North Rim's Grand Canyon Lodge, and other North Rim visitor services such as the Campground, will remain open.
Park officials say water conservation measures remain in place for both rims of the park. "We are asking residents and visitors to help conserve water by limiting showers to five minutes or less, turning off faucets while shaving or brushing teeth, flushing toilets selectively, washing laundry with full loads, and reporting leaks to the appropriate offices," the park release said.
Backcountry hikers will need to carry all the water they'll need or have ways to treat water along the way.
Read about the need to rebuild the pipeline and the approach the Park Service is taking.
Originally built in the 1960s, the Transcanyon Waterline provides potable water for facilities on the South Rim and inner canyon. The waterline has exceeded its expected lifespan and experiences frequent failures, which require expensive and continuous maintenance work to repair leaks. Since 2010, there have been over 85 major breaks that have each disrupted water delivery. The National Park Service recently started construction on a multi-year, $208 million rehabilitation of the Transcanyon Waterline and upgrades to the associated water delivery system. This crucial investment in infrastructure will ensure the park is able to meet water supply needs for six million annual visitors and approximately 2,500 year-round residents.
The project is expected to be completed in 2027. The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) is providing more than $40 million to replace the South Rim Wastewater Treatment Plant which services visitor, staff, lodging and support facilities. GAOA is part of a concerted effort by the National Park Service to address extensive deferred maintenance and repair needs in national parks.
Stories about:
Story Categories:
A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.
Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:
- Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
- Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
- Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
- North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
- Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
- Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
- Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.
INN Member
The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.
Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.
Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.
You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.
Comments
Just wondering. If the hotels and such right outside the park have water, why can't the South Rim tie into that municipal system? Seems that would be the smart thing to do in the long run.
Seems that would be the smart thing to do in the long run.
That's the core of the problem with the NPS.
Grand Canyon: One of our greatest nat'l parks is brought to its knees by inept inaction by the NPS.
SHAME on the NPS for letting this happen.
SHAME!
Not to be an apologist for the NPS, but they've been trying for years to get this pipeline replaced. Back in July 2017 they formally started the process. Not only is the paperwork gauntlet massive and complex (NEPA), but Congress has to provide the funding. Indeed, if you look at a lot of projects the NPS proposes in the parks, there's often a sentence that says something like, "when funding is identified."
Kurt, do you know why they can't be served by the local system of Tusayan
My recollection is that the town of Tusayan does NOT have its own water system. Water in Tusayan is typically pumped and distributed by PRIVATE water companies, so residents and busineses have to find their own supply of water.
Although, I think the town recently sunk a well, but it still does not supply all or even most of the town.
In fact, in the past, the town of Tusayan has contracted with the NPS for the NPS to supply the town with water. So, it's the other way around: the town of Tusayan has historically tied into the NPS water system.
1965 - 2017 = 52 years of inaction
ANYONE in the private sector would have begun planning for the pipepline's replacement in 1966, and seeking funding for its replacement in 1968. I first spent significant time in the GC in 2000. Even then, issues with water and the water system were well publicized.
Funding? Is it not possible for the NPS (or GCNP as an indiividual unit) to set aside funding for the pipeline replacement in 1970? Or 1990? Or 2000? Private businesses do this all the time (sinking funds) to prepare for future capital expenditures. Instead, it's a sad reality that the NPS typically does not act or even begin to plan to act until the inevitable and predictable crisis stares them in their faces. And WE ALL suffer.
Sure, I'm highly critical of the NPS, but the GC is a keystone nat'l park. The pipeline was a crisis in 2000 if not earlier. There is no explanation as why the GC waited until 2017 to begin "formal planning", except that "wait until there's a crisis" planning is the usual way of planning at the NPS.
I don't, Ben, but I've raised that question with the park and am waiting on a response.
Seek funding for its replacement in 1968? AJ, the pipeline was built in the mid-60s and had a projected life of 40-some years.
As far as setting aside funding, the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, which enables parks to set aside a portion of entrance fees to pay for on-site improvements, didn't come about until 2004. Before that, and even now, it's up to Congress to supply funds for these major infrastructure improvements.