Grand Canyon National Park recently made the difficult decision to suspend all overnight accommodations on the South Rim, starting on August 29th. This drastic measure was taken due to a severe water shortage caused by a series of breaks in the 12.5-mile Transcanyon Waterline, the primary water supply system for the park.
All overnight accommodations at popular lodges such as El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Phantom Ranch, Yavapai Lodge, and Trailer Village have been halted. These lodges, operated by Xanterra Travel Collection and Delaware North, are affected by the suspension. However, overnight accommodations outside the park in Tusayan, Arizona, remain operational, allowing visitors to stay there instead.
Although day use of the park is still allowed, visitors planning to camp on the South Rim will face restrictions. Only dry camping will be permitted, with campground spigots turned off to conserve water. Bathroom faucets will remain operational, but all wood burning and charcoal fires are prohibited due to a fire ban in place for the South Rim and inner canyon areas.
The National Park Service has initiated a $208-million rehabilitation project for the Transcanyon Waterline, originally built in the 1960s. This significant construction project aims to address the issues with the water supply system and is expected to be completed by 2027. Once completed, the park hopes to avoid future water shortages and maintain a reliable water supply for visitors and residents alike.
The impact of a water shortage on Grand Canyon National Park is significant, leading to the suspension of overnight accommodations, camping restrictions, and a fire ban. However, with ongoing rehabilitation efforts for the Transcanyon Waterline, the park is taking proactive steps to address the issue and ensure a sustainable water supply for the future.
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