A new break Grand Canyon National Park’s Transcanyon Waterline has been identified approximately one mile below Cottonwood Campground. Due to the break, park officials have announced that potable water is unavailable at Cottonwood Campground and Manzanita Rest Area until futher notice.
The Transcanyon Water Distribution Pipeline, known as the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL), is a 12.5 mile water pipeline constructed in the 1960s that takes water from the Roaring Springs source on the North Rim to the Havasupai Gardens pump station and ultimately to the South Rim. It provides the potable water and fire suppression for all facilities on the South Rim as well as some inner canyon facilities in the Cross Canyon Corridor including over 800 historic buildings.
Since 2010, there have been over 85 major breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline that have disrupted water delivery. The breaks are expensive to repair (often exceeding $25,000) and occur in locations that pose dangers for responding employees. Breaks also impact water availability for visitors.
Park officials advise that hikers traveling in the North Kaibab Trail corridor should carry enough water or bring filtration and water treatment until the current break is repaired.
Water Availability: Trailheads and Inner Canyon
These water statuses for the park’s Corridor Trails are current, but can change suddenly due to breaks in the waterline. Day and overnight hikers should always carry water treatment options. Information on how to treat water at www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/safe-water.htm.
- North Rim: All water is OFF. Water (single bottles and gallon-sized) can be purchased at the General Store 9 am–4 pm, daily.
- North Kaibab Trailhead: water OFF
- Supai Tunnel: water OFF
- Manzanita Day Use Area: water OFF due to pipeline break
- Cottonwood Campground and Day Use Area: water OFF due to pipeline break
- Phantom Ranch Canteen: water ON
- Bright Angel Campground: water OFF due to pipeline break
- Phantom Delta Restroom: water OFF due to pipeline break
- Phantom Boat Beach: water OFF due to pipeline break
- Havasupai Gardens (formerly known as Indian Garden): water ON
- Bright Angel Trail, Three-Mile Resthouse: water ON
- Bright Angel Trail, Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse: water ON
- Bright Angel Trailhead: water ON
- South Kaibab Trailhead: water ON
