Hikers fill water bottles at the Bright Angel Trailhead before heading down trail (NPS Photo)
GRAND CANYON — Effective immediately, the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will begin phasing into greater water restrictions and conservation measures due to a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline. The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will remain in current water conservation status. Until park staff repair the break and water in storage tanks reaches sustainable levels, the park will remain in conservation mode.
Under the additional water restrictions, the following operational changes will be in effect:
- Camper Services operated by Delaware North will be closed.
- Water spigots in Mather Campground and at Desert View Campground will be turned off.
- Visitors and residents may experience additional water conservation measures while visiting the park.
In addition to the new changes, all existing conservation measures remain in place for both the North and South rims. Under existing water restrictions, park staff and partners have been able to conserve water by using disposable dishes and utensils in restaurants, serving water by request only, adopting low water-use methods to clean hotel rooms, and practicing basic water conservation measures at home and work. Some ways residents and visitors can continue to help conserve water are to limit showers to five minutes or less, turn the faucet off while shaving or brushing teeth, selectively flush the toilet, wash laundry with full loads, and report leaks to appropriate offices.
Hikers in the backcountry should plan to carry all their water or methods to treat water. All Xanterra concessions services and overnight lodging are closed at Phantom Ranch until further notice.
For the most updated information on water availability in the inner canyon, visit the park’s Critical Backcountry Updates page here. For information on Phantom Ranch operations, please visit Xanterra’s website here.
— Grand Canyon National Park, in northern Arizona, encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors on the rim. Grand Canyon National Park is a World Heritage Site. The National Park Service cares for the special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.