Grand Canyon faces long road to recovery as National Park Service unveils plan after deadly flooding
While repairs continue, the next task is water conservation, as the South Rim of the canyon relies on stored water. During the latest severe storm event, the stored water declined by about 37 feet, according to the NPS.
Deadly flash flood attacks the Grand Canyon
FLOOD UPDATE: FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray shares an update from the Grand Canyon where an inch of rain triggered deadly flash flooding, resulting in two deaths and many others unaccounted for.
THE TAKEAWAY
- The National Park Service issued a plan for flood recovery at the Grand Canyon National Park.
- The stored water at the South Rim declined by about 37 feet.
- The water pipeline between Phantom Ranch and the North Rim sustained 40% damage.
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. – Early recovery work is underway on Grand Canyon National Park's infrastructure after rainfall triggered devastating flooding that transformed the landscape and disrupted the water supply system.
After rain and monsoon storms triggered flash flooding in the Grand Canyon, the iconic park became a messy, muddy landscape littered with debris.
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As a result, two people lost their lives in the deadly flood conditions.
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Cleanup and recovery efforts are now underway, with the National Park Service (NPS) conducting infrastructure assessments, stabilization work and working to restore a reliable water supply to the park's south rim.
The flooding on Aug. 29 caused extensive damage to the legacy Transcanyon Waterline, including about 40% of the old pipeline between Phantom Ranch and the North Rim.
Thankfully, the pipeline installed on the south side was unharmed by the flooding.
Video: Bunkhouse swept away in major flood at Grand Canyon
A sudden, powerful flash flood tore through the Grand Canyon, sending a bunkhouse drifting downstream through muddy, debris-filled floodwaters on Saturday.
The Bright Angel Creek and Roaring Springs intake areas also sustained major damage.
As a result, the park is now accelerating work to bring the infrastructure into service.
ONE STILL MISSING FOLLOWING DEADLY FLOODING AT GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK AS MONSOON STORMS LINGER
While repairs continue, the next task is water conservation, as the South Rim of the canyon relies on stored water.
During the latest severe storm event, the stored water declined by about 37 feet, according to the NPS.
Damaged water supply. (Grand Canyon National Park / Facebook)
In light of this, officials are asking residents, employees, visitors, businesses and partners to do their part in water conservation.
Current conservation efforts are saving about 137,000 gallons of drinking water each day, giving crews more time to complete critical work on the water system.
Crews walk through the damage and debris left behind by flooding. (Grand Canyon National Park / Facebook)
To prevent more water loss for the South Rim, officials are setting up potable water tanks, bottled drinking water, handwashing stations, portable showers, laundry facilities and portable toilets.
Teams are also monitoring the disruption system for leaks and any unusual water use to preserve as much as possible.
DROUGHT EMERGENCY AT LARGEST NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATION IN THE US COULD CREATE RIPPLE EFFECT
Some leaks are addressed right away, while others require more careful calculations, as some repairs require flushing an affected portion of the water system before it can safely return to service.
Flooded aftermath in the Grand Canyon. (Grand Canyon National Park / Facebook)
This action often consumes more water than the leak itself.
On top of this, five 2,500-gallon potable water tanks have already been placed around the South Rim, with more on the way.
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According to the NPS, more than 13,500 gallons of potable drinking water have been established throughout the South Rim, which aims to buy crews more time as they work towards a long-term solution.
"The park is also evaluating responsible options for supplementing the water supply," the NPS said. "Any water introduced into the existing system must meet specific water-quality and chemical compatibility requirements to avoid damaging the distribution and treatment systems."
With cleanup efforts underway and waterline repairs continuing, residents hope to see their reliable supply of clean water restored as soon as possible.
KAUA'I STILL WITHOUT POWER AMID DEVASTATION FOLLOWING HURRICANE LOWELL'S RARE DIRECT HIT ON HAWAII
Search parties are still ongoing near Phantom Ranch and downstream along the Colorado River, where endless debris was flushed away.