Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park announced a recovery plan for the canyon’s water system Tuesday as search operations continue following August’s deadly flash flooding. River patrols are still trying to find one hiker along the Colorado River, which runs through the canyon, officials said in a statement. Timothy Smith, a 53-year-old Texan and father of three, is the last person who remains unaccounted for after the flooding.
He was supposed to return home Wednesday, his wife Carrie Smith wrote in a Tuesday Facebook post. Park officials confirmed the deaths of Smith’s friends, 46-year-old John Guisti and 42-year-old Brent Rosenkranz, around the river on September 1. The hikers were caught off guard by a deluge on August 29 that flooded the park’s Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas with five feet of water.
The fast-moving storm dumped nearly an inch of rain per hour there, forcing the dramatic helicopter evacuations of 80 people. The flooding rain damaged 40 percent of the park’s main water supply system along the canyon’s South Rim, leading to water cuts for locals and forcing the closure of local hotels. But now, the park says there is a path forward to restore water service - and it is expected to take weeks, instead of months.
Crews are working on a temporary pipeline to replace the one destroyed in the flooding. The new pipeline would have the same capacity as the previous pipeline, pumping approximately 500 gallons of water per minute. The park is working with Arizona’s Department of Environmental Quality to meet federal water quality requirements and said teams were actively monitoring the system for leaks and unusual water use.
Officials also stressed that conservation remains “critical” while work moves forward. Every gallon saved by businesses, visitors and locals gives crews more time. Bottled water is being passed out and handwashing stations and portable showers and toilets have been deployed throughout the community.
Tap water remains safe to use and there is no boil-water advisory in effect. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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