Grand Canyon officials hold meeting about deadly flooding, water supply issues
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - Rescue crews are back in the Grand Canyon Wednesday searching for a missing hiker swept away in fast-moving floodwaters over the weekend on Aug. 29.
What we know:
Crews have already recovered the bodies of two hikers both from Granbury, Texas: John Giusti, 46, and Brent Rosenkranz, 42. Fifty-three-year-old Tim Smith remains missing near Bright Angel Creek.
New photos from the National Park Service of the Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch areas show the damage left behind after the flash flooding.
APS crews are assessing utilities, including the Transcanyon Waterline, and water utility specialists are assessing damage to the Roaring Springs Pumphouse and distribution system.
"The Transcanyon Water Distribution Pipeline, known as the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL), is a 12½-mile water pipeline constructed in the 1960s that conveys water from the Roaring Springs source on the North Rim to the Havasupai Gardens (formerly known as Indian Garden) pump station and ultimately to the South Rim. It provides the potable water and fire suppression for all facilities on the South Rim as well as some inner canyon facilities in the Cross Canyon Corridor including over 800 historic buildings," the National Park Service says about the utility.
Because of the waterline issues/restrictions, overnight stays in the Grand Canyon aren't permitted, but visiting for the day is allowed.
Sept. 2 meeting on the latest recovery efforts, utility issues
Grand Canyon National Park is hosting a community meeting from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium to address the deadly flash flooding, ongoing flood response, water supply, Stage 4 water restrictions, and community/park operations. Officials will also be taking questions.
"We know there are many questions, and we may not have every answer yet. Where information is not known, we will say so clearly and continue working to provide updates as more information becomes available," the park service said.
Grand Canyon trail safety questioned after flood
Hikers and experts question the reopening of the North Kaibab Trail following deadly Grand Canyon flash flooding. FOX 10's Nicole Krasean has the latest, as two people are confirmed dead and one remains missing.