The Transcanyon Water Distribution Pipeline, known as the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL), is a 12½-mile water pipeline constructed in the 1960s that conveys water from the Roaring Springs source on the North Rim to the Havasupai Gardens (formerly known as Indian Garden) pump station and ultimately to the South Rim. It provides the potable water and fire suppression for all facilities on the South Rim as well as some inner canyon facilities in the Cross Canyon Corridor including over 800 historic buildings.
A park maintenance crewmember uses a jackhammer to create enough clearance around the Transcanyon Waterline to safely weld and repair the pipe. The break, which occurred in September 2022, is one of many recent breaks resulting in increased water conservation measures.
NPS Photo.
Transcanyon Waterline Project
Why is a new waterline needed?
The National Park Service (NPS) is replacing the TCWL as it is beyond its expected useful life, experiences frequent failures, and requires expensive and continuous inner canyon maintenance work to repair leaks.
Since 2010, there have been over 85 major breaks in the TCWL that have each disrupted water delivery. The breaks are expensive to repair, occur in locations that pose dangers for responding employees, and negatively impacts the visitor experience. The cost for a single waterline break often exceeds $25,000. Access to the inner canyon, where breaks occur, is by trail and helicopter only.
Many times when there's a break in the water pipeline, distribution lines, or pump houses the park needs to implement water conservation measures. Park leadership makes conservation decisions based off the available water in the storage tanks. Visitors may notice the impact of the measures during a dining experience using disposable plates and cutlery, or with the closure of some shower and laundry facilities. A break typically takes 3-5 days to repair, but conservation measures may be in effect longer if there are multiple or back-to-back breaks.
The new water delivery system will meet water service needs at the South Rim and inner canyon for the next 50 plus years, while protecting natural and cultural resources, maintaining the visitor experience, and reducing maintenance requirements.
A helicopter delivers construction equipment in Grand Canyon National Park for the Transcanyon Waterline project.
NPS/ SEAN GUNN
Project Status
Initial construction activities during the spring and summer of 2023 were focused on establishing contractor and helibase support facilities, the South Rim water treatment plant, two new raw water tanks, and the laydown and staging areas in the Grand Canyon Village area on the park’s South Rim.
Heavy-lift helicopters began delivering sling loads of supplies and equipment to various landing zones in the inner canyon Oct. 16-19, 2023. Helicopters continue to be used and are essential for transporting materials and equipment between the South Rim and inner canyon construction sites.
On Dec. 1, 2023, sections of the Bright Angel and Tonto Trails and the Havasupai Gardens Campground were closed to begin work for sliplining pipe. The sliplining is a trenchless rehabilitation method of installing a smaller pipe through an existing pipe. It occurred to the Bright Angel section of the water pipeline, which is the section between the South Rim and Havasupai Gardens. Construction workers replaced the distribution system at Havasupai Gardens and upgraded the water distribution lines at Mile-and-a-Half and Three-Mile Resthouses. Work wrapped up and the Bright Angel Trail and Havasupai Gardens Campground fully reopened April 15, 2024.
The South Rim contractor support facilities and new raw water tanks were completed in 2024, and work continues at the South Rim helibase and water treatment plant and at the Phantom Ranch water treatment plant. More trail and campground closures were implemented in the fall of 2024 for work on the Transcanyon waterline section between Havasupai Gardens and Phantom Ranch and waterline and distribution line work through the Bright Angel Campground and at the Phantom Ranch Canteen and lodging areas.
The Phantom Ranch Lodge and Canteen reopened April 1, 2025. While Phantom Ranch Canteen and Lodge were closed, workers installed new distribution, power and communication lines, fire hydrants and water filling stations in the area. There may be small areas in the Phantom Ranch area sectioned off with construction fencing. Some additional work will occur later this year to connect the new lines to the facilities.
Waterline work in the Bright Angel Campground and along the Bright Angel Trail wrapped up, and the areas reopened on May 15, 2025.
Below is a list of current visitor use area closures:
Plateau Point Trail from the Tonto Trail West junction to Plateau Point: Oct. 12, 2023-Sept. 30, 2025
River Trail east of River Resthouse to South Kaibab Trail junction: Oct. 21, 2024-Sept. 30, 2025
Silver Bridge: Oct. 21, 2024-Sept. 30, 2025
The construction areas and schedule are subject to change. Intermittent trail delays of up to 30 minutes in the vicinity of construction work may occur as necessary throughout the project. Detours around some of the construction closure areas may be in effect. Signs will be in place to direct visitors along the detour routes. More information about the construction closures is available in the Public FAQs section below. Every effort is being made to schedule work to reduce impacts to visitors and residents, but near-term impacts are inevitable.
History of construction-related closure schedule releases:
We understand there's great community interest in this project. We thank you for your patience as we carry out this important project. Updates on the status will be provided here as soon as possible.
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A cross section of the Grand Canyon featuring an overview of the planned Transcanyon Waterline project areas.
On the far left is a black column about 1/5 the width of the illustration. The column header reads: Grand Canyon Planned Water Delivery System Infrastructure Projects. Below the header is a legend that displays 4 symbols to indicate, Bright Angel Creek, Transcanyon waterline replacement, Bright Angel Trail Slipline, and Transcanyon waterline slipline. Below the legend is a National Park Service arrowhead logo.
The main background illustration shows a cross section of Grand Canyon. Buildings, water pipelines, pump stations, and water treatment plants are labeled.
The cross section begins on the South Rim, upper left, at an elevation of 6,860 feet/2,093 meters, then descends right to Mile-and-a-Half Rest House at an elevation of 5,729 feet/1,748 meters, then descends right to Three-mile Rest House at an elevation of 4,748 feet/1,449 meters, then descends right to Havasupai Gardens at an elevation of 3,800 feet/1,160 meters, then descends right and down to the Colorado River, at an elevation of 2,480 feet/756 meters. The "Silver Bridge" is shown crossing the Colorado River in the center of the illustration.
From the river, canyon walls begin their ascent up to the North Rim, beginning at Phantom Ranch at an elevation of 2,546 feet/776 meters, then ascends right to Cottonwood Campground at an elevation of 4,080 feet/1,244 meters, then ascends right to Manzanita Rest Area at an elevation of 4,600 feet/1,402 meters, then ascends right to Roaring Springs Pumphouse at an elevation of 5,200 feet/1,591 meters, then ascends right to the North Rim at an elevation of 8,241 feet/2,512 meters.
Superimposed over the cross section illustration are a six location-based panels that list, through bulleted points, the work and improvements to be done at each location.
Panel 1, on the far left, South Rim Support Facilities: Constructing Contractor Facilities, Constructing Helibase Building, Constructing Helicopter Landing Pad.
To the right of Panel 1 is Panel 2, South Rim Water Treatment Plant work: Constructing Water Treatment Plant. Constructing Raw Water Tanks.
Below Panel 2 is Panel 3, Inner Canyon Improvements; Resthouses: Sliplining Bright Angel, Upgrading Rest House Water Distribution.
Below Panel 3 is Panel 4, Inner Canyon Improvements; Havasupai Gardens and Silver Bridge: Upgrading Havasupai Gardens' Distribution System, Replacing Transcanyon Waterline Pipe, Installing 3-Phase Power, Repairing Silver Bridge.
Returning to the top of the illustration, to the right of Panel 2 is Panel 5, Inner Canyon Improvements; Phantom Ranch: Installing Bright Angel Creek Intake, Consturcting Water Treatment Plant, Installing Booster Pump, Replacing Distribution System, Upgrading Electrical System.
To the right of Panel 5 is Panel 6, Inner Canyon Improvements; Manzanita to Roaring Springs: Sliplining Transcanyon Waterline from Roaring Springs Pumphouse to Cottonwood Campground, Upgrading Manzanita Rest Area and Cottonwood Campground Water Distribution System, Upgrading Point-of-Intake and Installing Point-of-Use Treatment.
Finally, point to point construction, or replacement work, is indicated by colored lines referenced in the legend. From the South Rim to Havasupai Gardens, adding a slipline is indicated, From Havasupai Gardens to Phantom Ranch, replacing the Transcanyon Waterline is indicated. From Phantom Ranch to Cottonwood Campground, Bright Angel Creek is shown as the water conduit. From Cottonwood Campground to Roaring Springs Pumphouse, adding a slipline is indicated.
Overhead electrical lines from Havasupai Gardens to Plateau Point will be replaced with three-phase power into conduit underground. The lines will be mounted with the waterline from Plateau Point down the steep inner canyon walls and resume underground to Phantom Ranch for the project.
NPS Photo.
Project Highlights
The project includes upgrading, replacing, or constructing temporary infrastructure for the installation of the waterline in a sequenced construction timeline of approximately 2023-27.
The TCWL project will relocate the water intake for the water delivery system to the South Rim from Roaring Springs to Bright Angel Creek near Phantom Ranch. This location will greatly reduce the length of the TCWL and eliminate a portion of the current waterline north of Phantom Ranch that experiences the most frequent failures. The water intake at Roaring Springs will continue to provide water to the North Rim.
The project includes:
Constructing an auxiliary hangar, helicopter landing pad, and contractor support area at the park helicopter base.
Constructing a 1 million-gallon per day water treatment plant at the South Rim and a smaller water treatment plant at Phantom Ranch.
Replacing the water distribution system at Havasupai Gardens.
Replacing approximatley 3 miles of waterline and upgrading approximately 3 miles of electrical supply line from Havasupai Gardens to Phantom Ranch.
Constructing a water intake system and pumping station in the Phantom Ranch area.
Replacing the water and electrical distribution systems at Phantom Ranch.
NPS ranger Katie Brown shows NPS Director Charles Sams a section of the Transcanyon pipe that was removed due to a recent break in the waterline while the director receives an overview of the Transcanyon Waterline project during a visit to Grand Canyon National Park in August 2022.
NPS Photo.
Design Considerations
The overall design of the water delivery system involved about 10 years of tests, analyses, reviews, and coordination to meet the various public health, state, and federal standards, environmental laws, historic, and NPS resource management policies.
With pipeline breaks being the main cause for water delivery failures, selecting the right materials and equipment was a critical decision in the design process. The original pipe material is aluminum, which is easier to haul into the inner canyon due to its weight to size ratio. The material; however, also contributes to the degradation of the waterline and frequent structural breaks due to the extreme environmental conditions of the inner canyon. A break typically runs longitudinally with the pipe and repairing it usually consists of cutting out and replacing an 8-foot section of aluminum pipe.
The project team balanced the complexity of the inner canyon’s terrain and environmental conditions with constructability while mitigating the impact to cultural and natural resources in making their material selection. They identified flex-steel pipe to replace the aluminum because of the balanced tradeoff between weight to durability and the strength of the material.
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Project FAQs
When is the Transcanyon Waterline project expected to finish?
The construction is projected to wrap-up in October 2026; however, delays could impact the overall schedule.
How much is the Transcanyon Waterline project going to cost?
The NPS awarded a $208 million construction contract on March 14, 2023, to Stronghold Engineering, Inc. of Perris, Calif.
Where can I go to find the most up to date information for trail closures and impacts?
Current Grand Canyon National Park closures are published on the park’s operational updates webpage. More information about the construction-related trail and campground closures and the project are available on the Transcanyon Waterline project webpage. Visitors requesting information on inner canyon campground closures should visit the Backcountry Information Center’s (BIC) reservations webpage on rec.gov or by calling the BIC at 928-638-7875. Commercial use authorization (CUA) permit holders can contact the permits office for questions related to their CUA permit at e-mail us
Will I be able to hike the Tonto Trail, from east to west or vice versa, during the Plateau Point Trail closure?
Yes. Tonto Trail detours will be in effect during this time while work is being conducted in the vicinity of the Plateau Point Trail and Tonto Trail West junction. Either construction workers will direct trail users through active construction zones, or signs will be used to direct trail users by the temporary work zones.
Is the River Trail closed?
Yes, it is closed through September 30, 2025, east of the River Resthouse and across the River Trail to the South Kaibab Trail junction. The River Trail follows the Colorado River for 1.7 miles (2.7 km) between the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails. Two pedestrian bridges, Silver and Black bridges, permit access to the north side of the Colorado River. The Silver Bridge is closed until Oct. 1, 2025.
When will Bright Angel Trail reopen?
Bright Angel Trail reopened May 15, 2025. Hikers can go up and down the trail between the South Rim trailhead and Pipe Creek Beach, but be advised that there are no water filling stations between Havasupai Gardens and Pipe Creek Beach. There’s no access to Phantom Ranch via the River Trail while it’s closed. The River Resthouse will be open. Hikers may traverse between the Bright Angel Trail and the South Kaibab Trail via the Tonto Trail, but the detour route is not recommended in the extreme heat of the summer.
Will River Resthouse be available for use?
Bright Angel Trail reopened May 15, 2025, and River Resthouse is available for trail users. River Trail will be closed east of the resthouse through September 30, 2025.
Can I still use Tonto Trail while Plateau Point Trail is closed in 2025?
Yes, Tonto Trail is open for use. There will be slight detours in effect around construction areas near the Tonto Trail east and west junctions off Bright Angel Trail and Plateau Point Trail. The areas are marked with construction fencing and signs directing hikers along the detour route.
Which trails are open to get to Phantom Ranch?
South and North Kaibab trails are open to hike to Phantom Ranch from either rim, and Black Bridge is open to cross the Colorado River while Silver Bridge is closed. There will be no access to Phantom Ranch via the Bright Angel Trail while the River Trail is closed. Hikers may traverse between the Bright Angel Trail and the South Kaibab Trail via the Tonto Trail, but the detour route is not recommended in the extreme heat of the summer. Rim-to-rim hikers may use a South to North Kaibab Trail route. Hiking up the South Kaibab Trail during the summer months is extremely strenuous and potentially dangerous due to the intense heat, minimal shade, and no water resources. There are no water stations along South Kaibab and Tonto trails. Hikers should plan to hike before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. when temperatures are cooler, bringing extra water and snacks, and take frequent rest breaks in the shade.
Hikers and backpackers attempting rigorous distances, such as rim to rim, through the inner canyon are strongly encouraged to be self-reliant and to understand their own physical limitations to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders. Be aware that efforts to assist hikers may be delayed due to limited staff, the number of rescue calls, and employee safety requirements.
The National Park Service urges CAUTION for all hikers during the summer months of May through September. Be aware that April, May, and October can bring unexpectedly high temperatures in the inner canyon, making heat-related illnesses a risk during these months as well.
Where in the Phantom Ranch area will there be closures?
Most of the ongoing construction is in the Phantom Delta area near existing water utility facilities between Silver Bridge and the Bright Angel Creek pedestrian bridge.
The Phantom Ranch Lodge and Canteen reopened April 1, 2025, and Bright Angel Campground reopened May 15, but the group sites will be closed until Oct. 1, 2025. While most of the waterline and associated work was completed at the Phantom Ranch Lodge area, some additional work will occur later this year to connect the new lines to the facilities. There may be small areas in the Phantom Ranch area sectioned off with construction fencing.
Will people still be able to do Rim-to-Rim hikes during the construction closures?
Yes, visitors should still be able to complete Rim-to-Rim hikes during the regular season of approximately May 15-October 15. Most of the trail and campground closures are planned while the North Rim is closed, so overnight accommodations in the Phantom Ranch area are expected to be open. The Phantom Ranch Lodge and Canteen reopened April 1, 2025, and Bright Angel Campground reopened May 15, 2025. Black Bridge is available to cross the Colorado River while Silver Bridge is closed.
Rim-to-rim hikers may use a South to North Kaibab Trail route. Hiking up the South Kaibab Trail during the summer months is extremely strenuous and potentially dangerous due to the intense heat, minimal shade, and no water resources. There are no water stations along South Kaibab and Tonto trails. Hikers should plan to hike before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. when temperatures are cooler, bringing extra water and snacks, and take frequent rest breaks in the shade.
Hikers and backpackers attempting rigorous distances, such as rim to rim, through the inner canyon are strongly encouraged to be self-reliant and to understand their own physical limitations to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders. Be aware that efforts to assist hikers may be delayed due to limited staff, the number of rescue calls, and employee safety requirements.
The National Park Service urges CAUTION for all hikers during the summer months of May through September,as the daytime summer temperatures can exceed110°F (43°C), significantly increasing the risk of heat-related illness. Be aware that April, May, and October can bring unexpectedly high temperatures in the inner canyon, making heat-related illnesses a risk during these months as well.
Will I still be able to do my river trip exchange during construction closures?
Yes, the South Kaibab Trail is open for regular use to include river trip exchanges. The construction contractor is coordinating with commercial river companies to facilitate planned river trip exchanges.
Commercial river trip exchanges and private river trip exchanges can be completed at Boat Beach or Pipe Creek Beach beginning May 15, 2025. There will be no access between Pipe Creek Beach and Phantom Ranch while the River Trail is closed.
Will more water stations or toilets be available along the South Kaibab Trail while the Bright Angel Trail is closed?
No. Additional facilities will not be installed along the South Kaibab Trail, but park staff are planning to increase the frequency of maintenance to compost toilet facilities. There are no water stations along the South Kaibab Trail and visitors should plan on bringing all water with them for the duration of their hike.
NPS staff recommend visitors to review their plans and bring extra water and snacks to hike SMART via the South Kaibab Trail from the South Rim to Bright Angel Campground or Phantom Ranch. The National Park Service urges CAUTION for all hikers during the summer months of May through September,as the daytime summer temperatures can exceed110°F (43°C), significantly increasing the risk of heat-related illness. Be aware that April, May, and October can bring unexpectedly high temperatures in the inner canyon, making heat-related illnesses a risk during these months as well.
Are trail closures possible at other times and dates?
Yes, the construction crews will be conducting preparatory tasks for upcoming waterline work, which may result in intermittent delays of up to 30 minutes.
Why is Plateau Point Trail closing for so long?
The waterline is routed near the Bright Angel Trail from the Rim past Havasupai Gardens and along the Plateau Point Trail. Construction crews will need longer time working along the Plateau Point Trail area, as they’ll be transitioning from sliplining the water line to replacing it and installing underground three-phase power. Temporary power and water pipe must first be installed to provide services during the permanent replacement of the water pipe and underground power.
Will the old pipeline be removed when the waterline is replaced?
There will be one section of pipeline, between Phantom Ranch and Cottonwood, that will be left in place. It was discovered during the compliance process that removing that section of pipe would cause further damage and may cause negative impacts to natural resources.
What are some of the system upgrades for Havasupai Gardens or the water stations?
The proposed project plan is to upgrade the distribution system and provide year-round water at the Mile-and-a-Half and Three-Mile Rest Houses along the Bright Angel Trail. The water distribution system at Havasupai Gardens will be upgraded including replacing the water stations and fire standpipes.
How has the design aesthetic been considered for new infrastructure at Phantom Ranch?
The facilities will not replicate the historic buildings. The design team consulted with the State Historic Preservation Office and designed them to fit into the aesthetics of the area.
Will engineers need to evaluate the applicable bridges before they begin construction?
Assessments for the bridges are completed.
How many construction staff will be working on this project?
There will be multiple construction staff working on this multi-year project. The contractor will utilize their own staff plus hire subcontractors to work on the project.
Why did it take so long to publish a schedule of closures since construction began earlier this year [2023]?
The Transcanyon Waterline project is a large and complex infrastructure project with construction site areas on the South Rim, along the existing water pipeline route, and at various inner canyon locations. Since being awarded the construction contract on March 14, 2023, Stronghold Engineering Inc. (SEI) began construction on the necessary support facilities on the South Rim that they'll need to execute the construction for the water delivery system infrastructure and waterline. SEI staff have simultaneously planned and coordinated administrative and logistical tasks like hiring subcontractors and ordering materials with lead times, to develop the sequencing of activities for the rest of the project.
Project Documents
Review the Transcanyon Water Distribution Pipeline Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact documents on the National Park Service's Planning, Environment and Public Comment site (PEPC). PEPC is an online collaborative tool dedicated to facilitating the National Environmental Policy Act/National Historica Preservation Act process in conservation planning, environmental impact analysis, and informed decision-making.
Additional historical documents, articles, and information related to the Transcanyon Waterline can be obtained by contacting the Grand Canyon Museum Collection or checking the NPS Electronic Technical Information Center.
Some project and historical documents still reference Havasupai Gardens as Indian Garden. On November 10, 2022, the name was officially changed from Indian Garden to Havasupai Gardens. The Havasupai people have actively occupied this area since time immemorial before the land’s designation as a National Park and until the park forcibly removed them in 1926. The renaming from Indian Garden to Havasupai Gardens is out of respect for the undue hardship imposed by the park on the Havasupai people.
First supplemental domestic water supply train in the summer of 1961 unloading water to the South Rim storage tanks. Twenty cars equated to about 204,000 gallons of water. The Santa Fe supplied water daily by train from 1901-32, and then as needed until the late 1960s.
NPS Photo by Blaisdell.
TCWL History
Early Water Delivery to the Park
Potable water was transported to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park by train from 1901-32. A variety of water source options were investigated over the years, which included hauling water from a reservoir in Flagstaff, collecting runoff from the San Francisco Peaks and piping it in, to sourcing it from the Colorado River. However, the options weren't feasible due to water rights, legal reasons, or excessive costs.
Pumps were installed at Havasupai Gardens in the 1930s to pump water from there; however, in the 1950s the pumps at Havasupai Gardens could no longer meet the South Rim demand and bringing in water by train resumed to supplement the supply. As visitation increased, this option could no longer meet the demand and it was determined that a new source of water was needed.
A contracted construction crew crushes rock in preparation for installation of the Transcanyon Waterline at Grand Canyon National Park in 1965. The site is located between Roaring Springs powerhouse and Roaring Springs.
NPS Photo.
Finding a Water Source
Roaring Springs was determined as the best water source option based off existing studies to learn more about the water sources north and south of the Colorado River. Roaring Springs is an underground water supply at an elevation of approximately 5,200 feet on the North Rim and receives a higher level of annual moisture with a slope that's angled toward the canyon to be more easily collected.
Constructing the Waterline
Construction began in January 1965, and most of the equipment used was specifically designed to support the project. The rest of the work was done manually. The waterline from Roaring Springs to Havasupai Gardens was constructed of 6" and 8" aluminum pipe. The line connected at Havasupai Gardens to be pumped up via an iron pipe, previously installed in 1932, to the South Rim.
The trail and approach to this North Kaibab Trail bridge was completely washed away by the 1966 flood event, exposing a section of Transcanyon Waterline. The bridge and pipeline were constructed in 1965.
NPS Photo.
Flood of 1966
The project was nearing completion a year later when the unthinkable happened – a 1,000-year flood – 15 inches of rain overwhelmed the Inner Canyon. The flood waters carried away trees, boulders, and sections of new aluminum pipe. A survey conducted following the flood determined that approximately 40% of the project was destroyed or missing. The high-water mark from the flood is recorded on the walls of the Phantom Ranch Ranger Station.
The project originally cost $2 million. The price tag to rebuild increased to $5 million, and construction resumed in late 1967.
