Grand Canyon National Park enters Stage 3 water restrictions following another South Rim pipe break
According to the National Park Service, Grand Canyon Water Utilities is responsible for providing water to up to 5 million visitors and 2,500 to 3,000 residents.
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Following a water pipeline break along the North Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park has implemented Stage 3 water restrictions on the South Rim beginning April 1.
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As a result, water cannot currently be pumped to the South Rim.
Water pipeline breaks along North Kaibab Trail, triggering Stage 3 water restrictions to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (Grand Canyon National Park / Facebook)
Park officials are urging residents, visitors, and staff to conserve water and reduce usage in homes, hotel rooms and campgrounds by limiting showers, turning off taps when not in use, and reporting leaks.
According to the National Park Service (NPS), Grand Canyon Water Utilities is responsible for providing water to up to 5 million visitors and 2,500 to 3,000 residents.
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There are 5 stages of water restriction levels for the canyon and Stage 3 represents ‘Mandatory Water Conservation Measures,’ meaning the South Rim water tank level is between 11 and 15 feet.
"Close Camper Services, campgrounds switch to dry camping (restrooms available). No woodburing or charcoal fires at Mather campground," it states.
View of Mather Point on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. (W. Tyson Joye / NPS / FOX Weather)
Along with that, NPS has made several operational changes at Mather Campground: Camper services are closed, water spigots have been turned off, fires are prohibited, restrooms remain open, and the RV dump and water station continue to operate.
Prior to the increased restrictions, the South Rim was at Stage 2 water conservation as the park has faced ongoing breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL).
Originally built in the 1960s, the pipeline has far exceeded its 30-year design lifespan.
"Since 2010, there have been over 85 major breaks in the TCWL that have each disrupted water delivery," the NPS said.
Recently, in March, water restrictions were critical enough to close overnight hotel accommodations in South Rim after multiple water main breaks.
A helicopter delivers construction equipment in the park for the Transcanyon Waterline project. (Sean Gunn / NPS / FOX Weather)
And during Labor Day weekend 2024, hotels closed after a series of water main breaks forced operators to shut down the TCWL.
A National Park Service project to rehabilitate the Transcanyon Waterline began in 2023 and is expected to finish construction in 2027.
Until the break along the North Kaibab Trail is repaired, and water tanks return to sustainable levels, Grand Canyon National Park will remain in conservation mode.
If conditions don’t improve, officials said the park may need to increase water restrictions to Stage 4.
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This would mean overnight lodging could close, additional fire restrictions would be implemented, and Trailer Village would become unavailable, the park said.