Grand Canyon South Rim hotels to reopen Thursday following water pipeline repairs
Sep 3, 2024, 3:00 PM | Updated: 3:53 pm
Grand Canyon South Rim hotels are set to reopen Sept. 5, 2024, after repairs were completed on a water pipeline that had several breaks. (NPS Photo)
(NPS Photo)
PHOENIX — Grand Canyon South Rim hotels are set to reopen Thursday after repairs were completed on a water pipeline that had several breaks.
The shift away from Stage 4 water restrictions will allow visitors to stay overnight at hotels, including at the El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge, Phantom Ranch and Maswik Lodge, for the first time in a week.
The repairs were finished late last week and water was being pumped without issue, according to the National Park Service (NPS). The park will remain in Stage 3 water restrictions until storage tanks reach adequate capacity.
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“We appreciate the cooperation and patience of our visitors and community members as we work to restore these vital visitor services,” NPS said in a press release.
Grand Canyon South Rim: Why were hotels closed?
The water pipeline breaks caused no water to be pumped to either the South or North Rim, bringing the park’s water storage levels to unsustainable levels.
Park officials say the damage occurred down in the depths of the canyon in a narrow area known as “the box” that’s highly susceptible to rock fall and dangerous heat this time of the year. A photo of one of the recent breaks released by officials showed the pipe spitting out a funnel of water across the slim canyon.
The 12.5 mile-long Transcanyon Waterline, originally built in the 1960s, supplies potable water for facilities on the South Rim and inner canyon. Park officials say it has exceeded its expected lifespan.
Since 2010, more than 85 major breaks have disrupted water delivery, but none had forced Stage 4 water restrictions until last week.
What water restrictions are still in place at Grand Canyon’s South Rim?
Park officials suggest these measures when visiting the Grand Canyon, which welcomed nearly 523,000 visitors last August and more than 466,000 visitors last September.
- Limit showers to five minutes or less.
- Turn off faucets while shaving or brushing teeth.
- Flush toilets selectively.
- Wash laundry with full loads.
- Report leaks to park authorities.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
