Grand Canyon National Park has announced a recovery and repair plan following the major flash flood that struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on August 29th.
The National Park Service says crews are making progress on infrastructure assessments, stabilization efforts and the restoration of a reliable water supply to the South Rim. The park now expects water system repairs to take weeks rather than months.
Engineers are working in the canyon to design a temporary water intake at Bright Angel Creek after the previous intake was destroyed by the flood. Construction is expected to begin this week, with the temporary system designed to pump approximately 500 gallons of water per minute. Once operational, the intake will send water through the new Transcanyon Waterline and allow crews to replenish South Rim storage while work continues on a permanent intake.
Extensive Water Infrastructure Damage
The August 29th flash flood caused significant damage to the Transcanyon Waterline. Approximately 40% of the old pipeline between Phantom Ranch and the North Rim was damaged, while the Bright Angel Creek and Roaring Springs intake areas also suffered major impacts.
The new pipeline infrastructure on the south side of the canyon was not damaged. The park had been preparing to begin operating the new system shortly before the flood and is now accelerating that work.
Electrical service needed for the temporary intake has been restored, while debris removal and site preparation are underway. Testing at the new South Rim water treatment plant is also being accelerated.
Critical Water Conservation
The South Rim continues to depend on stored water while repairs are underway. Current conservation measures are reducing potable water use by approximately 137,000 gallons per day.
The park has also deployed potable water tanks, bottled water, portable showers, handwashing stations, laundry facilities and portable toilets to reduce demand on the existing system. Five 2,500-gallon water tanks have already been installed, with more planned.
Grand Canyon National Park remains open at both the South Rim and North Rim, although visitors should expect modified operations and closures in affected inner-canyon areas. Search operations also remain active following the flood. One person is still missing, with crews searching near Phantom Ranch and downstream along the Colorado River.
The National Park Service says additional updates will be provided as recovery work continues.