Grand Canyon water pipeline damaged again as flooding complicates repairs
Flash flooding forced park closures and water restrictions at Grand Canyon as the $200 million pipeline repair project faces major new complications.
TL;DR
- Flash flooding severely damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, the main water source for millions of Grand Canyon visitors.
- Approximately 40% of the 12.5-mile pipeline sustained damage, complicating a yearslong $200 million repair and replacement project.
- Park officials have implemented significant water reductions, including limiting shower use and restricting toilet flushing, and have stopped overnight accommodations.
- The pipeline, built in the 1970s, has a history of frequent breaks, with over 85 incidents reported since 2010.
- The ongoing upgrade project involves installing helicopter pads, building water treatment facilities, and replacing pipeline sections.
- At least two people died in the floods, and one person remained missing as of Monday night, with about 80 people rescued over the weekend.
- The flooding has forced parts of the park to close, and more flooding is possible.