Date: June 22, 2016
Contact: Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, 928-638-7958
Contact: Emily Davis, 928-638-7609
Grand Canyon, Ariz. –Beginning at 8 am on Thursday, June 23rd Grand Canyon National Park will implement mandatory Level 2 water conservation measures due to diminished water resources. At Level 2, mandatory measures require that all concessions operations switch to disposable dishes and utensils;alter menus to use less water for food prep and dish washing;adopt low water use for hotel room cleaning;serve drinking water at restaurants by request only;and allow the sale of individual bottles of water.
Mandatory water conservation includes not watering lawns/plants or washing cars; filling the sink with water while washing dishes;reporting drips, leaks or other water loss to appropriate offices; turning off the water while you shave or brush your teeth; running dishwashers or washing machines with only full loads- in eco mode if available; taking shorter showers.All visitors and residents must implement water conservation measures immediately in homes, hotel rooms, and at the campgrounds. The public can call 928-638-7688 to listen to a recorded message with updates and additional information.
A break in the Transcanyon Pipeline is currently under repair. Additionally a pump at Indian Garden remains inoperable;the combination of these situations has contributed to the diminished water resources and resulted in mandatory water conservation guidelines for all consumers on the South Rim. The North Rim is unaffected by these issues.
Due to the Transcanyon Pipeline break there is no water available at Cottonwood Campground or Manzanita Rest Area. Day hikers and backpackers should be prepared to carry all drinking water or be able to filter or treat creek water for drinking purposes. Phantom Ranch is operating under water conservation measures. No water available at Bright Angel Campground or Boat Beach.
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. Grand Canyon National Park has a large and complex water utility system that provides water to the over 5 million visitors a year in addition to the 2,000 plus residents that live within the park
-NPS-
