Grand Canyon to shut off potable water for visitors at South Rim in conservation effort

Grand Canyon National Park will shut off potable water at multiple areas in the South Rim on Sunday.

In an effort to conserve the limited supply, potable water will be turned off at the 1.5-mile resthouse, 3-mile resthouse and Havasupai Gardens Day Use Area and Campground starting at 10 a.m.

The National Park Service encourages hikers using the Bright Angel Trail to bring all the water they need with them and not to rely on water being available.

For hikers planning to stay overnight at Havasupai Gardens Campground, the NPS suggests visitors be prepared to collect and treat water from natural sources if they do not have the water they need for their stay. Carrying a reliable water treatment method, regardless, is recommended.

Grand Canyon closures to be aware of

The South Kaibab Trail below the Tip-Off and the Bright Angel Trail below its intersection with the Tonto Trail are closed to visitors.

Additionally, the North Kaibab Trail, Cottonwood Campground, Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground and the Black and Silver bridge are all closed, effectively cutting off hiker access to the canyon’s popular rim-to-river corridor.

Commercial and private river trips are still launching at Pipe Creek Beach along the Bright Angel Trail, park officials said.

Park staff and partner agencies are conducting damage assessments and beginning repair work on trails, bridges, utilities and other infrastructure that the flood damaged or destroyed.

There is no estimated date for reopening. The park said decisions will be based on conditions on the ground and its ability to safely restore access.

The flood forced dozens of evacuations Aug. 29 and knocked out the waterline serving the South Rim, where Stage 4 water restrictions took effect Monday.

KTAT News 92.3 FM’s David Iverson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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