Grand Canyon to resume overnight lodging after pipeline repairs

Pipeline repairs at Grand Canyon National Park have been successfully completed, allowing officials to resume overnight lodging on the South Rim starting Thursday. The repairs were necessary due to four significant breaks in the 12.5-mile Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies potable water to the park's facilities. The suspension of overnight stays began on August 29, impacting hotels such as El Tovar and Bright Angel Lodge during a peak visitation period. Park spokesperson Joell Baird confirmed that the repairs were finalized late last week, and since then, no new breaks have occurred. The water storage tanks are currently at 13.5 feet and are expected to reach 15 feet by Thursday, enabling the park to return to its regular water conservation practices. The water supply challenges have persisted since July 8, leading to the temporary closure of overnight accommodations. The Transcanyon Waterline, built in the 1960s, has faced numerous issues, with over 85 major breaks reported since 2010. This failure occurred during a $208 million rehabilitation project aimed at upgrading the waterline and its delivery system, which is expected to be completed by 2027. The park serves approximately 6 million visitors annually, along with 2,500 year-round residents, highlighting the critical need for a reliable water supply. While the exact cost of the repairs and the financial impact of lost reservations during the Labor Day weekend remain unknown, the successful restoration of the waterline is a significant step towards ensuring the park can accommodate its visitors and maintain essential services.