Severe flash flooding in the Grand Canyon has led to extensive damage to the Transcanyon Waterline, a primary water source for the park. The National Park Service (NPS) announced stage four water restrictions would take effect Monday at 12:00 p.m. due to the infrastructure damage.
The flooding, which occurred on August 29 in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area, destroyed nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek. NPS stated that the incident resulted in one confirmed fatality and an estimated 15 individuals remain missing. Park officials have evacuated approximately 62 people from the affected areas.
Authorities are actively searching for the missing hikers and have recovered the body of a 46-year-old man from the Colorado River on Sunday night. The man has not been publicly identified. The NPS is seeking information from the public regarding any hikers or backpackers who were in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29, or who had campground reservations in the affected area.
Stage four water restrictions mandate dry camping with no access to water spigots, temporary closure of overnight lodging, and a strict ban on fires for both the South Rim and inner canyon areas.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs confirmed that state emergency officials are coordinating with federal and local authorities to support the ongoing search and recovery efforts. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes described the flash flooding as "devastating" and acknowledged the physical damage, including to a historic lodge near the canyon floor, and the environmental impact.