Water Shortage at Phantom Ranch Caused by Pipeline Break

Date: December 11, 2014
Contact: Jessica Pope, [phone]

Grand Canyon, AZ –A break in the Trans-Canyon Water Pipeline and inclement weather delaying equipment from reaching repair crews, has resulted in a water shortage at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of Grand Canyon. Visitors hiking to Phantom Ranch must be self-sufficient and be prepared to carry or treat all drinking water.

In consultation with the National Park Service, Xanterra South Rim LLC has temporarily suspended its Phantom Ranch overnight accommodations and services. 

All Grand Canyon National Park trails remain open.The National Park Service encourages all hikers to be prepared and to Hike Smart. More information is available on the park website at https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hike-tips.htm.

At this time it is unknown when repairs to the pipeline will be complete. The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Grand Canyon beginning today and continuing throughWednesday of next week. This outlook predicts continued low cloud cover and fog, visibility that may drop to a quarter mile or less, wind gusts between 35-45 MPH beginning Friday afternoon and precipitation continuing throughSaturday. For more information about the Hazardous Weather Outlook please visit http://1.usa.gov/1AlHLp6 and continue to check the weather forecast for Grand Canyon.Visitors may also call the recorded information hotline for current status at (928)-638-7688. 

Pipeline breaks are not uncommon and the National Park Service is usually able to maintain operations without significant disruptions to visitors.

All other park operations remain normal. Visitors planning a trip to Phantom Ranch in the next several days may also contact the park's Backcountry Information Center (928)-638-7875 and/or Xanterra South Rim LLC (928)-638-2631.