Grand Canyon Faces Continued Storm Threat After Fatal Flash Flood

POLICY WIRE — Flagstaff, Arizona — The Grand Canyon is bracing for additional rain and thunderstorms following a catastrophic flash flood that resulted in one fatality and left approximately 15 individuals unaccounted for. Numerous visitors have been evacuated, and the sole water pipeline serving tourists and residents has been obliterated.

Emergency water restrictions implemented on Monday have prohibited tourists from staying overnight at lodges and hotels within the park. Permanent residents have been urged to conserve water usage.

A flood watch remains in effect. The Grand Canyon, a treasured national park, poses significant dangers during the summer monsoon season due to the heightened risk of flash floods. Seemingly clear days can rapidly transition into severe thunderstorms and heavy downpours.

With substantial monsoonal moisture present and soils already saturated in certain areas, there is an increased risk of flash flooding through Monday, the National Weather Service cautioned early Monday.

The body of a 46-year-old man was discovered near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River on Sunday evening, according to the National Park Service, which did not provide further details.

The flooding on Saturday in Bright Angel Creek, which flows into the river, necessitated the airlift of over 60 people from the canyon’s depths. The park service has requested information from anyone who may have details about missing hikers or campers. The Arizona Department of Public Safety assisted with further evacuations on Sunday.

These actions are essential for safeguarding the safety and sustainability of water resources, the park stated in a release.

Parth Desai, who was hiking through a narrow passage in Bright Angel Canyon with fellow physicians and a park ranger when the heavy rain commenced on Saturday, recounted the harrowing experience. We witnessed the creek flooding, waterfalls emerging from nowhere, boulders, mud, and landslides occurring everywhere, he said.

As they moved towards Phantom Ranch, a colleague yelled “Up, Up, Up, Up!” as a 4-foot debris wall approached them, prompting them to dash into a patch of cacti. They were subsequently rescued by helicopter late Saturday after reaching the Phantom Ranch area.

The torrents of water obliterated footbridges over the creek and transformed the landscape, expanding the creek bed and either extending an existing river rapid or creating a new one. The flood dealt a significant blow to the ongoing effort to modernize the pipeline that caters to 6 million visitors annually and approximately 1,600 residents of Grand Canyon Village.

Heaven help us if the entire system down there needs to be reconstructed. Where will they obtain the funding? remarked Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University.

The suspension of overnight stays at the park due to water scarcity is uncommon, although the pipeline has frequently malfunctioned over the years. Although the Grand Canyon has substantial storage tanks for potable water on the South Rim, they will not be replenished while the pipeline is inoperative.

A $208 million rehabilitation of the pipeline and enhancements to the associated water delivery system commenced in 2023, with the park service deeming it a vital investment to fulfill the needs of residents and visitors. The project was slated for completion next year.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)