Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Aug. 19-23, 2024

Water Conservation and Inner Canyon Water Status

Due to a break in the Transcanyon Waterline, the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is implementing stricter water restrictions and conservation measures. The North Rim will also begin preliminary conservation efforts. The park will remain in conservation mode until repairs are completed and water levels at storage tanks are restored.

Key operational changes include:

• Closure of Camper Services operated by Delaware North.
• Shutdown of water spigots at Mather and Desert View Campgrounds.
• Potential additional conservation measures for visitors and residents.

Current conservation practices continue, including water-on-request services, low-water cleaning methods, and general conservation efforts.

Residents and visitors can assist by:

• Limiting showers to five minutes.
• Turning off faucets while brushing teeth or shaving.
• Using toilets selectively.
• Washing full loads of laundry.
• Reporting leaks.

Hikers should carry sufficient water or have water treatment methods. For updates on backcountry water availability, visit the park’s Critical Backcountry Updates webpage.

Hantavirus Awareness: Essential Information for Grand Canyon Residents

Hantavirus is a serious respiratory illness transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. As of August 9, Arizona has nine confirmed cases of hantavirus, including three deaths, across Apache, Coconino, Navajo, and Pima counties. Although rare, it is more common in the southwestern United States, making awareness and prevention crucial for Grand Canyon residents.

What is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus can be inhaled from dust contaminated with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, or through direct contact with these materials. This means that simply sweeping out a shed or crawling around in dusty areas frequented by rodents, could put you in contact with the disease.

Early symptoms of hantavirus usually appear within one to five weeks of exposure and can include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, and gastrointestinal issues. Severe cases can lead to respiratory distress. If you experience these symptoms and have had recent rodent exposure, seek medical attention promptly.

Prevention Tips

1. Home and Workspace: Seal all holes and gaps larger than 1/4-inch to prevent rodent entry. Maintain cleanliness by eliminating food waste. For cleaning rodent droppings, use an EPA-registered disinfectant. Avoid stirring up dust and always wear gloves.
2. Outdoor Recreation: Avoid sleeping directly on the ground, keep food and water covered, and avoid disturbing rodent nests. Keep campsite areas clean.
3. Rodent Cleanup Kits: Rodent cleanup kits are available for checkout by all park residents. For more information or to request a kit, contact Brady Dunne (Wildlife Biologist) at 928-638-7659.

Dean Ketelsen Posthumously Recognized at NPS Awards Ceremony

This week, Grand Canyon Ranger, Rader Lane, accepted the NPS Impact Award in Washington D.C. on behalf of longtime volunteer, Dean Ketelsen. This award recognizes a single individual who has made a meaningful impact for their park or program.

In 1990, during his honeymoon at the Grand Canyon, Dean Ketelsen brought along a pair of binoculars and shared the wonders of the night sky with fellow visitors. Inspired by this experience, he, along with a few friends, initiated an event known as the Grand Canyon Star Party the following year. Over time, this event has evolved into the largest night sky festival within the NPS.

Sadly, Dean Ketelsen passed away in 2023, shortly after attending his 33rd consecutive year at the event. It is with great respect and gratitude that the NPS posthumously honor his legacy, recognizing his pivotal role in creating one of the NPS’s most extensive public outreach events. More information on this and other award winners can be found at the following link here.

Bats & Rabid Misinformation in the Grand Canyon podcast featuring two NPS staff

In the latest episode of the River Radius podcast, hosts explore questions like, “Why have cases of reported bat encounters along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon increased in the last several years? And what are the chances of contracting rabies from a bat encounter?

Learn the answers from Grand Canyon National Park biologist Brandon Holton and Ranger Lisa Hendy and others by listening to the full episode on the River Radius website, Apple Podcast, or Spotify.

Employee Spotlight!

Hannah Chambless, Hydrologist

I have known since I was 12 that I am a huge nerd who loves Earth Science and loves being outside. My parents knew even before that, since they tell everyone that the only thing that stopped my crying as a baby was bringing me outside. When I was 18, I left home in Georgia to pursue an undergraduate degree in Earth Science at Boston College, and I loved it so much that I stayed there for a Master’s degree in Geology. While my research in Boston was in Seismology, I was spending a lot of time helping other graduate students with their Hydrology field work and taking as many Hydrology classes as I could.

When I graduated in 2018, I got a job as a Soundscape Technician at Grand Canyon. Again, I started volunteering with the Hydrology Program and, after a year, I got a Hydrologic Technician position at Grand Canyon. Two years, ago, I moved into the Hydrologist position and have been here ever since. This is the only park I have ever worked at, and I love it here! When I’m not in the park hiking to springs and caves for work, I am wandering around northern AZ to climb, hike, and float.

How long have you worked at GRCA? Where are you based out of?

I have worked at GRCA for 6 years as a Soundscape technician, a Hydrologic technician, and now as the Park Hydrologist. I am based out of Flagstaff, but I spent my first year working at GRCA living on the South Rim.

Can you share a memorable or rewarding experience you’ve had while working here?

I’ve had countless memorable and rewarding experiences doing Hydrology field work in the park, but one of my favorite trips involved spending 3 nights in a spring cave to help a PhD student at NAU map the cave using LiDAR.

What’s one piece of advice you would offer to anyone wanting to pursue your career field?

Say yes to as many opportunities as you can, even if they are out of your comfort zone. I spent the end of my graduate school tenure and first year at Grand Canyon looking for and saying yes to any Hydrology data collection trip I could join, and it paid off better than I could have ever imagined!

What’s the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had (besides your current one)?

Besides my current job, my very first job was a technician at a vet clinic. I was 15 years old, helping the vets and other techs with various simple procedures, and I even got to help with the birth of a litter of kittens.

North Country Healthcare offers free HIV/Hepatitis C screening event

North Country Healthcare is offering a FREE HIV/Hep C testing event on Tuesday, August 27 from 4-6 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Recreation Center. The first 20 attendees will receive a $10 Starbucks giftcard.

More information for this event can be found in the attached flyer here.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Cafeteria, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-10 p.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Harvey House Café/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 6:30-10:30 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dinner 4-9 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
• Arizona Steakhouse, Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9 p.m.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge – Breakfast 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9:30 p.m., Lounge, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Food until 9 p.m.), Patio closed until further notice.
• The Grand Canyon Kennel, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

Delaware North

• Yavapai Dining Hall: Breakfast 7-10:30 a.m., Dinner 5-9 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m., Coffee Shop: 6:30 a.m. -5 p.m.
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Camper Services laundry and shower: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Trailer Village Kiosk: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Café 7 a.m (.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): Open daily from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Verkamps and Yavapai Geology Museum-8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, Visitor Center Plaza-8 a.m.-7 p.m., Kolb Studio-8 a.m.-6 p.m.,
• The Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Community Yoga & Wellness (at the Rec Center) June schedule: Fitness Classes (under the ramada): Sunday 9 a.m., Tuesday & Thursday 6 p.m. Yoga (in the SPR): Monday & Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Use discount GCLOCALS at checkout.

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post and ice cream and coffee shop, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. daily. Stairs and tower access available until 6 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Desert View convenience store, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

North Rim

• North Rim Visitor Center (GCC), 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
• NPS Backcountry Information Center, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-5 p.m. daily
• Camper Store by campground (Aramark), 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
• Guest Laundry and Showers, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. staffed, unstaffed from 7-10 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Lodge Gift Shop (Aramark), 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily

Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities.

• Moonrise over the South Rim Village on August 19, 2024 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Aerial view of inner canyon pipeline break along the North Kaibab Trail (NPS Photo)
• Deer mouse (Photo courtesy of ADHS)
• Dean Ketelsen in 2023 at the Grand Canyon Star Party (NPS Photo)
• A wildlife biologist in Grand Canyon National Park with a bat (NPS Photo)
• Hannah Chambless, Hydrologist at Grand Canyon National Park (Photo courtesy of H. Chambless)
• Searchers being briefed at Station One on August 22 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)