Second Flash Flood Damages Temporary Water Infrastructure in Bright Angel Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park crews are evaluating damage after another flash flood moved through Bright Angel Canyon on Wednesday afternoon, September 16. The flooding damaged temporary water infrastructure being built as part of the park’s recovery from the August 29 flood, adding uncertainty to the work to restore a reliable water supply to the South Rim.
No injuries were reported. The National Park Service said it had reduced the number of people working in the canyon because severe weather and flash flood warnings were approaching. Personnel who remained in the area were able to get to safety before the flood arrived.
The affected area remains closed to public access. Although both the South Rim and North Rim remain open, visitors should expect modified operations and closures in impacted inner-canyon locations.
Damage assessment underway at Bright Angel Creek
The park’s Incident Management Team is assessing damage to a temporary water intake on Bright Angel Creek and related infrastructure. That intake was being constructed to assist with restoring water service after the August 29 flood damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplied water to the South Rim.
Once the assessment is complete, crews will decide what repairs or changes are necessary. The National Park Service said the findings will also determine how the latest flood damage affects the schedule for returning a dependable water supply to the South Rim.
New pipeline infrastructure on the south side of the canyon was not damaged by either flood, according to the park. Work to bring that infrastructure into service is continuing.
Stage 4 water restrictions continue on the South Rim
Water conservation remains essential while repair and recovery work continues. Stage 4 water restrictions, put in place after the August 29 flash flood, are still in effect.
Grand Canyon National Park is asking visitors, residents, employees, businesses and partners to reduce water use. To help lower demand on the South Rim water system, the park has placed support facilities throughout the community.
- Designated portable bathrooms
- Handwashing stations
- Potable-water tanks
- Bottled drinking water
- Portable showers
- Laundry facilities
- Portable toilets
Visitors are asked to use the designated portable bathrooms, handwashing stations and potable-water tanks. The park also encourages South Rim visitors to bring their own drinking water and other needed water when possible.
What visitors should know before traveling
Visitors can still enter Grand Canyon National Park from both the South Rim and North Rim, but conditions may change as the park responds to flood damage and continues water-system repairs. Inner-canyon areas affected by the flooding are subject to closures and modified operations.
Before leaving for the park, visitors should check current Grand Canyon conditions. Those heading to the South Rim should arrive prepared with drinking water and should conserve water throughout their visit while Stage 4 restrictions remain in effect.
The National Park Service said it will continue to provide updates as the damage assessment and recovery work progress.
Official source: Read the original Grand Canyon National Park news release.
For more current park information, see Grand Canyon News & Updates.
GrandCanyonVisitorCenter.com is an independent visitor-information resource and is not operated by the National Park Service.
