Messages and Grand Canyon News-Week of May 15, 2023 Sign up for the Weekly Wrap Up Here North Rim to reopen June 2 with limited services available The North Rim will open as scheduled, on June 2, with limited visitor…
The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open as scheduled, on June 2, with limited visitor services and water conservation measures due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline. A landslide from winter storms destroyed more than 300 feet of the North Rim water pipeline.
This week, prescribed fire treatments began on the Grapevine segment, approximately 0.5 miles south of the Duck on a Rock Overlook along Highway 64 (Desert View Drive). The Grapevine project area totals 865 acres and is bound by the Kaibab National Forest’s boundary to the south and the E4/Long Jim Canyon Road to the north. Following completion of the Grapevine project, crews will initiate ignitions on the Lonetree project area, totaling approximately 926 acres. Ignitions may be complete as early as Friday, May 12, but may be extended through the weekend based on favorable weather conditions. A map of the project areas can be found here.
Our water system recently violated a drinking water requirement. Although this incident was not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did to correct this situation.
We are required to chlorinate our drinking water source located at the Roaring Springs cave. On the morning of May 8, 2023, we did not meet one or our treatment requirements to provide sufficient levels of disinfectant due to high levels of turbidity in the drinking water system. Although chlorine residual levels are above the minimum requirement at Phantom Ranch along the Trans-Canyon Pipeline, the levels on the South Rim are below that requirement.
Tusayan’s first annual Cinco de Mayo celebration will take place on Friday, May 5 at the Squire Resort. The fiesta takes place from 3 to 7 p.m., is family-friendly, free, and open to the community.
There will also be lawn games, piñatas, a Mariachi band and a variety of authentic Mexican foods for guests to enjoy. The drive-in movie, Coco, will be begin at 5:30 p.m.
The Cinco de Mayo event is new this year and reflects the town’s goal of offering more activities and recreational opportunities for visitors and residents alike. A full flyer with more details on the event is available here.
Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with personnel and resources from Saguaro, Rocky Mountain National Park as well as Dinosaur National Monument, anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatments from May 10-12, on the South Rim, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow.
On Wednesday, May 10, ignitions will occur on the Grapevine segment, approximately 0.5 miles south of the Duck on a Rock Overlook along Highway 64 (Desert View Drive). The Grapevine project area totals an area of 865 acres and is bound by the Kaibab National Forest’s boundary to the south and the E4/Long Jim Canyon Road to the north. Following completion of the Grapevine project, crews will initiate ignitions on the Lonetree project area, totaling an area of approximately 926 acres. Ignitions may be complete as early as Friday, May 12, but may be extended based on favorable weather conditions.
Each year in the spring (April – June), Grand Canyon National Park experiences an increase in turbidity in the drinking water. This increased turbidity is caused by the snow melt and by the spring rains recharging the aquifer and the increased water flows through the rock formations to the point of supply for the Grand Canyon National Park Public Water Supply System.
California Condor Update
Free-flying California condors in Arizona continue to be confirmed with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
As of April 17, 2023, 20 condors have died in the Arizona-Utah flock; HPAI has been confirmed for 10 of those condors. Eight birds were captured and brought in for supportive care. Four of those condors died shortly thereafter and are included in the total of 20 deceased birds. Four condors are still receiving supportive care and have shown improvement.
Report bird mortalities to NPS wildlife immediately so that bird die-offs can be investigated and tested for avian influenza. Report dead wild birds to Grand Canyon Dispatch at 928-638-7805 and they will call the on-call wildlife specialist to assist.
The National Park Service (NPS) has scheduled meetings to provide information to the public and respond to questions about multiple construction activities at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
The meetings will include a presentation by NPS staff featuring the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL), Bright Angel Substation and the substation access road projects with a question-and-answer period. These meetings will be an opportunity for community members to learn about construction updates and anticipated impacts to park operations, residents, and visitors. Questions are being accepted in advance at: https://forms.office.com/g/RM8ZVq7X4t.
Fundamentals Program returns to Albright Training Center
A redesigned NPS Fundamentals Program has relaunched! The staff of Horace M. Albright Training Center (HOAL), a National Park Service employee development facility located within the park, are excited for the return of NPS’s keystone Learning and Development program: NPS Fundamentals. The NPS Fundamentals Program has been redesigned into a three-part training opportunity for new permanent employees in agency. The program serves as the foundation for all careers in the NPS. The program’s mission is to invest in new employees, deepen their understanding of the NPS mission and operations, and build their commitment to the NPS core values.
Rockfall frequency increases; flash flood warnings remains in effect throughout Northern Arizona
Recent storm impacts have created near impassable road conditions throughout much of Coconino County, especially in flooded roadways adjacent to creeks. Although these areas are limited within park boundaries, please be aware of the increased likelihood of rockfall and flash flood activity within the inner canyon as temperatures rise and active snowmelt occurs.
This week there were three reported sizeable rockfalls along the Bright Angel Trail reported by staff at the Backcountry Information Center. The trail remains passable to hikers. It is likely these events will occur on a routine basis in the coming weeks/months.
If you observe an active rockfall along a trail, please notify Grand Canyon dispatch as soon as possible at 928-638-7805. If you have a camera or phone, photos of the rockfall can be helpful to staff on Trails and the Backcountry Information Center.
For a more comprehensive list of backcountry trail updates, visit our park website here.
Grand Canyon Trails Update
Trails into Grand Canyon remain snow-packed and icy. As many of us know, rain, snow, and ice can increase the risk of rockfall on backcountry trails. Foot traction and trekking poles are strongly recommended for those planning to hike into the canyon in the coming weeks.
In the wake of the highest snow accumulations in decades, it is imperative hikers demonstrate the highest level of preparedness for evolving and extreme winter weather conditions. On most trails, expect snow packed and icy trails for roughly the first three miles, with some sections retaining drifts of snow. Every hiker needs to evaluate not only their individual level of skill and preparedness, but that of their group as a whole, for extreme winter conditions.
On the North Kaibab Trail, staff reported conditions below the Coconino Overlook are virtually impassable. Hikers should expect deep snow above Redwall Bridge and mountaineering conditions above Supai Tunnel. Hiking is not recommended in the upper North Kaibab Trail at this time. Conditions may improve as temperatures warm this week, but given the volume of snow, expect travel on the North Kaibab to remain very challenging for some time.
For a more comprehensive list of backcountry trail updates, visit our park website here.
Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park can expect long lines and full parking lots during the spring break season, which spans from early March through mid-April. As a result of increased visitation, traffic regularly backs up at all entrance stations, with wait times of up to one to two hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Parking lots begin reaching capacity by 12 p.m. and shuttle bus wait times may be prolonged.
Grand Canyon National Park experienced its eighth busiest year ever in 2022 with 4,732,101 visits. Last year’s visitation was more than 200,000 above the previous year at a 4.5% increase. Grand Canyon also went from the fourth most visited national park to the second most visited. (#1-Great Smoky Mountains National Park).
Visitation to Grand Canyon reached its highest level ever with approximately 6.4 million visits in 2018. Although 2022’s reduced visitation lessens the stress on the park’s resources, park operations still rely on the revenue from all income sources. Fewer visitors translates to reduced revenue for park programs. Federal Lands Recreational Enhancement Funds (aka FLREA), transportation fees, and concession franchise fees are still reduced compared to pre-pandemic years. Funds from these sources support many programs across the park and park managers continue to work on programming costs with these smaller revenue projections in mind for this fiscal year.
Highway 67…plowed?!
Last week, North and South Rim Road Crew staff successfully plowed 30 miles of Highway 67, from Jacob Lake to the North Rim boundary, for administrative use. A team of three including John Venn, Brandon Alberta, and John Root completed the operation over the course of one week.
The primary objective of road clearing was to provide for a diesel fuel supply for the back-up generators on the North Rim. After a series of powerful snow storms this winter that knocked out power service, this backup fuel source is critical to support the staff and continuity of operations. Additional objectives included the ability to provide emergency ingress/egress to and from the North Rim, as well as improving safety for residents by allowing administrative traffic in motor vehicles instead of snowmobiles.
Thank you to the North Rim staff who continue to weather repeated storms and impressive snow removal operations!
Cultural Demonstrator this weekend at Grand Canyon Visitor Center
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 17, 18, and 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., stop by and meet Zuni fine art painter, Anthony Gchachu. He will discuss how he conceptualizes and executes his paintings.
Watch him work and learn how Zuni culture and art have influenced his unique painting style that uses layered acrylic paints to create texture, depth and movement to generate emotions.
This series is made possible with grants from Grand Canyon Conservancy.
Emergency contact information may be crucial in case of a natural disaster and/or weather closure notification/event, or other crisis situations. The Grand Canyon Public Affairs Office in conjunction with Grand Canyon Dispatch are beginning to implement a solution towards the goal of enhancing information-sharing and keeping our NPS staff, partners, and residents connected and informed.
The Everbridge platform will help us achieve this goal by sending real-time texts, emails, and/or calls. The Department of Interior approved this platform in 2019 and many NPS units already use it for notifications.
This week, the National Park Service (NPS) released details on 2023 investments that will improve access and facilities across the country, enhance climate and fire resilience, and further connect people with their national parks.
In the coming years, NPS and federal partners will make investments that will support Grand Canyon’s Shuttle Bus Maintenance Facility, Bus Fleet Replacement and Charging Infrastructure project.
The project aligns with the sustainability and climate change goals of converting the federal fleet to zero emission vehicles. It consists of acquiring 10 new battery electric buses (BEB) and 20 new near-zero emission compressed natural gas buses (CNG) to replace the aging fleet; installing charging infrastructure to support the electric buses, including a solar parking canopy; and replacing an obsolete and undersized vehicle maintenance facility.
The National Park Service on Feb. 1 will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park for specific launch dates within calendar year 2024. A total of 459 permits will be available for 12- to 25-day river trips. Eligible individuals may apply online at the weighted lottery website. Applications will be accepted online through noon Mountain Standard Time on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
Each year in February, a main lottery is held to assign launch dates for river trips occurring the next year. Public notifications regarding main lotteries are made by both email and news release. In addition to the annual main lottery, follow-up lotteries are held as needed throughout the remainder of the year to reassign canceled and/or unassigned launch dates. Public notifications for these follow-up lotteries are made through email and Twitter.
Winter safety tips!
South Entrance Station
We have received multiple reports of park employees and/or residents driving through the south entrance station without stopping. As a reminder, when the bypass lane is closed or inaccessible due to snow, all vehicles are required to come to a full and complete stop when driving through any of the lanes of the entrance station. A failure to stop is not only hazardous but could result in a serious accident to employees who routinely move between booths.
Parking – Safety Concern
Please do not park vehicles on roadways.
Vehicles parked inappropriately compound already hazardous conditions and they impede the plowing of roadways.
Please use designated parking areas.
Winter storm recap; additional storm system will move through Thursday evening into Friday
Winter weather has yet again hit us hard on the South Rim, and even more so on the North Rim. As of Tuesday, the North Rim has received more than 72 inches of snow for the winter season. As of Thursday morning, State Route 64/Desert View Drive has reopened; Hermit Road remains closed. Please continue to check the Dispatch Roads Line at 928-638-7496 for the latest road conditions and closure updates.
As we continue to dig ourselves out of the accumulated snow, conditions will improve with another fast-moving storm system Thursday evening into Friday, likely bringing another 3-5 inches of additional accumulation.
This amount of snow removal requires all hands-on deck. Please help us acknowledge the continued hard work of NPS and concessionaire road and trail crews as they remove snow from roads, trails, and sidewalks throughout the park. Additionally, our interpretation and visitor and resource protection staff have assisted in snow removal and aiding stranded and unprepared visitors.
Thank you all for your continued efforts; your work has not gone unnoticed!
Winter Weather Returns; National Weather Service issues Travel Risk for impending weekend storm
According to the National Weather Service-Flagstaff, winter weather returns to the area this weekend, with periods of heavy snowfall likely beginning Saturday night across the high country. Snow levels will gradually fall from 6000–7000 feet Saturday evening to 4000–5000 feet Tuesday. One to two feet of snow is possible in the high country by the end of next week.
Prepare for an extended period of poor travel conditions next week!
REMEMBER – PLEASE KEEP ROADWAYS CLEAR OF VEHICLES; PARK IN YOUR DRIVEWAY AND FOR THOSE ON APACHE ST, PARK IN THE ALLEY. ALLEYS AND RESIDENTIAL ROADWAYS WILL BE PLOWED
COVID Updates
Masks Optional
As of January 5, Coconino County has remained in MEDIUM CDC Community Level. Masks are optional in all public buildings. We encourage individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to practice physical distancing from others while in indoor common areas.
Total new COVID cases in Arizona for the week of December 29-January 4 was 6,187 which is an increase from the week before at 4,973. There were three new COVID-19 cases reported in the park this week.
As a reminder, be sure to promptly report any illness, to include possible COVID-19 symptoms, COVID exposure, or a positive COVID test to your supervisor and our Public Health Consultant, Ronan King. Ronan can be reached at: 202-891-8599 or Ronan_King@nps.gov.
New Year’s Eve fundraising event for 8th Grade Washington D.C. Field Trip
Grand Canyon Community Rec Center is hosting a New Year’s Eve Fundraiser Party to support the Grand Canyon Middle School D.C. Trip!
Live band, Juniper Hill, starts at 9:30 p.m. Pre-admission tickets and 50/50 raffle tickets available for purchase at the Grand Canyon Recreation Center. More information on the event can be found in the attached flyer here.
Weekly Call Updates
For the next two weeks, all employee calls as well as stakeholder/community calls will be canceled in observance of the holidays.
We will start the New Year with a new weekly call format beginning on January 11, 2023. There will be just one call each week, on Wednesday at 11 a.m. for both NPS employees and community members.
Wednesday all employee and community call from the Superintendent’s Office:
TIME: 11 a.m. Arizona Time
CALL IN: 877-491-6221
PARTICIPANT CODE: 7074828#
If you would like a calendar invite sent by email with this information, please email the public affairs office at grca_public_affairs@nps.gov.
Have a happy and safe holiday season!
-Grand Canyon Office of Communications
Volunteer to support the Grand Canyon Community this holiday season!
On Tuesday, Dec. 20, Delaware North will be having a wrapping party to wrap the angel tree gifts from 1-5 p.m. in Yavapai Lodge atrium. All angels on the DNC Angel Tree have been adopted this year and donations should be dropped off before this Friday, Dec. 16 to the General Store. More information on this event can be found in the attached flyer here.
On Wednesday, Dec. 21, Delaware North will be making food boxes in the Canyon Village Market Deli starting at 3 p.m. The food boxes will accompany the angel tree gifts to each family. More information on this event can be found in the attached flyer here.
Both events are open to the community and participation is highly encouraged!
Throughout December, Grand Canyon National Park is featured alongside three other national parks in the East Room at none other than the The White House. The East Room décor reflects the communion we find in nature. As part of the fireplace mantel displays, visitors see four iconic National Parks from around our country represented: The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains, and Shenandoah National Park.
As the largest room in the White House, the East Room has hosted public receptions, ceremonies, bill signings, and other memorable occasions. More information on 2022 White House decorations can be found here.
Cultural Demonstrator this weekend at Grand Canyon Visitor Center
Beginning December 2 and lasting through the end of February 2023, cultural demonstrations will be held in Grand Canyon Village in the lobby of the South Rim Visitor Center. Demonstrations during the winter months will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
This weekend, the Cultural Demonstration Program presents renown musician and flute maker, Aaron White. He is of two Nations, the Dine of Northern Arizona (Blacksheep Clan) and The Northern Ute tribe Whiteriver band. Award winning Artist/Singer/Songwriter, Grammy nominated musician, and recent recipient of the Native American Music Award, Aaron has been entertaining audiences for over 25 years.
Aaron will demonstrate the ancient art of reed flute making at the South Rim Visitor Center Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 2 through 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by and watch Aaron work and learn how reed flutes have deep ties to the history and culture of the Southwest.
Starting on Dec. 2, 2022, through Feb. 26, 2023, the Cultural Demonstrator Series will transition to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC) on the South Rim. Every Friday through Sunday, artists from traditionally associated tribes of Grand Canyon will be in the lobby from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Moving demonstrations from the Desert View Watchtower to the GCVC will increase interactions with artists and the public during months of slower visitation. After Feb. 26, 2023, the Cultural Demonstrator Series will transition back to the Desert View Watchtower.
As of November 17, Coconino County is now in Medium CDC Community Level. This change is not unexpected. We have seen COVID spikes in the fall for the last two years, and unfortunately, this year this has happened a little earlier than in past years. As a reminder, the CDC and World Health Organization still considers us to be in a pandemic, and that it does not look to be ending anytime soon.
The DOI has set specific guidelines for us to follow based on the CDC Community Level. The primary change for Medium Community Level is to communicate the concerns of spreading COVID and areas where people gather. Therefore, we will post new signs on all building entrances that state that we are in Medium CDC Community Level, and we encourage individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to practice physical distancing from others in indoor common areas. Additionally, all building entrances should have signs stating that masks are optional and to practice physical distancing.
Finally, the best way to protect yourselves and your loved ones is to be vaccinated and boosted. If you have not received the newly developed and distributed COVID bivalent vaccine, we encourage you to do so. These vaccines have been scientifically proven to be safe and to help prevent COVID illness—and, for those that do become sick, the bivalent vaccine helps protect from serious or long-term COVID illness.
The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a Wetland Statement of Findings for the Transcanyon Water Distribution Pipeline project. Public comments on the proposed action will be accepted Nov. 21 until midnight, Dec. 23, 2022.
The proposed Transcanyon Water Distribution Pipeline project is designed to relocate the potable water intake in the park, which supplies the South Rim and Cross Canyon Corridor, from Roaring Springs to an area at Bright Angel Creek near Phantom Ranch. Additionally, the project will replace the water distribution pipeline between Phantom Ranch and Havasupai Gardens (formerly known as Indian Garden), abandon or remove over time 7.5 miles of pipeline from Phantom Ranch to Cottonwood Campground, and reuse 1.5 miles of pipeline for slip-lining a smaller waterline from Cottonwood Campground to Roaring Springs.
ark visitors and residents are invited to attend a special celebration in honor of Native American Heritage Month. The event takes place in Shrine of the Ages Auditorium, beginning at 6:30 pm, and promises to be an evening filled with cultural dancing and perspectives.
Four dance groups will perform:
The Dineh’ Tah Navajo Dance Troupe,
The Hopi Sinom Traditional Singers & Corn Dancers,
The Guardians of Grand Canyon – Havasupai Ram Dancers,
and the Dishchii’bikoh – Apache Crown Dancers.
Grand Canyon’s Indigenous employees and community members have presented this annual event for more than 20 years. It is free, open to the public, and is sponsored by Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon Conservancy, as well as local businesses, organizations, and individuals.
Honoring our NPS Veterans
Through legislation passed 68 years ago on June 1, 1954, November 11 became Veterans Day—a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
At Grand Canyon, we deeply appreciate our veterans for their military service and their continued service as NPS employees. We are thankful for their sense of comradery, mission focus, and can-do attitude, and we are proud to work beside every veteran on our team. Grand Canyon National Park employs 65 veterans with a combined 294 years of creditable military service.
Many of our veterans have seen multiple deployments and have made countless sacrifices throughout their military service.
Key Messages-Week of October 31, 2022 Sign up for the Weekly Wrap Up Here COVID Updates Arizona and Local Statistics As of October 27, the CDC Community Level for Coconino County continues to be Low. In Arizona, 13 counties are in Low…
Tamale Sale-GRCA School
Fundraising efforts for 8th grade class underway
The fundraising for the 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. has officially begun!
The vision of the Washington, D.C. field trip is to engage students as citizens in American Democracy. The mission is to provide 8th grade students at Grand Canyon School an opportunity to capstone their 8th grade civics curriculum by engaging with locations that exhibit how people of the past and present change the world through the processes in American Democracy.
For more information, please see the attached flyer here.
Successful vaccine event in Grand Canyon; Flu and COVID vaccines available October 25 in Tusayan
The Coconino County Health and Human Services Mobile Vaccine Team came to the park on Tuesday for a flu and COVID vaccine event. Thank you to the Grand Canyon Rec Center for hosting this event and the Mobile Vaccine Team who successfully vaccinated more than 100 individuals. The team will next be at the Tusayan Fire Department on October 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Due to popular demand of these events, please arrive early to ensure you receive assistance.
COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines will be available at this event (to include the new COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine) for those ages 6 months and older. See the attached flyer for the Tusayan event here.
Flu and COVID vaccines available October 18 in Grand Canyon, October 25 in Tusayan
The Coconino County Health and Human Services Mobile Vaccine Team will be coming to the park on Tuesday, October 18. The event will take place at the Grand Canyon Rec Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The team will also be in Tusayan at the Tusayan Fire Department on Tuesday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines will be available at this event (to include the new COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine) for those ages 6 months and older. See the attached flyer for the Grand Canyon event here and the Tusayan event here.
Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent, Ed Keable, has announced the availability of a prospectus for a business opportunity in the park to provide lodging, food and beverage, retail, and other visitor services on the North Rim. The prospectus released today outlines this business opportunity, describes the existing business, and provides details on how to submit a responsive proposal.
The services provided under the new contract encompass the majority of the commercial visitor services on the North Rim. It includes services currently provided by Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services, LLC This contract currently earns gross revenues of approximately $13 million per year, with 219 guest rooms, four restaurants and bars, gift shop, general store, public showers and laundry, and gas station.
The Coconino County Health and Human Services Mobile Vaccine Team will be coming to the park next on Tuesday, October 18. The event will take place at the Grand Canyon Rec Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The team will also be in Tusayan at the Tusayan Fire Department on Tuesday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines will be available at this event (to include the new COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine) for those ages 6 months and older. See the attached flyer for the Grand Canyon event here and the Tusayan event here.
The Weekly Wrap Up is getting a new look!
Beginning next week, the Grand Canyon Office of Communications will be transitioning to a new email distribution platform called GovDelivery. This transition is necessary for us to meet the Department of Interior’s new policies for email distribution.
The Wrap Up as well as news releases from our office will have a new layout and feel. If you are not receiving email communications from our office (through the Wrap Up or news releases), please check your junk email folder or email us directly at grca_public_affairs@nps.gov.
From now through fall, male elk are in a period known as the rut. During this time, they become territorial and may become aggressive if approached or threatened. Please do not approach elk, stay a safe distance of 100 feet (30m) away, and never water or feed them for any reason.
After several weeks of pipeline breaks and water restrictions, water in storage tanks on both North and South rims of Grand Canyon National Park have reached sustainable levels.
Visitors, residents, and businesses should continue to use basic water conservation practices and mindful water use at all times. Water conservation tips for visitors and residents include turning off the water while brushing teeth or shaving, washing only full loads of dishes or laundry, and reporting leaks and wasteful water use to appropriate staff. Residents are also reminded to use reclaimed water for plants, lawns, and washing vehicles and to not fill large-capacity water tanks in the park.
Water delivery to Grand Canyon National Park’s South and North rims has been restored and the park is beginning a phased approach to easing water restrictions. The amount of water in reservoir tanks is increasing daily and once sustainable levels are reached the park will continue to ease water restrictions.
The following operational changes will be in effect beginning on Tuesday, September 20:
Hispanic Heritage Month begins Thursday, September 15
September 15 marks the month-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month when we recognize and celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Hispanic Americans in the United States.
Hispanic, Latino, Latina, and Latinx Americans have helped to shape the National Park Service since its beginning in 1916. The tradition continues today with Hispanic and Latino Americans working as employees, volunteers, interns, and partners in many career fields of the National Park Service, including natural and cultural resource management, law enforcement, interpretation, administration, and much more.
Please join me in recognizing and celebrating the rich cultural heritage and ongoing contributions of Hispanic Americans here at the Grand Canyon National Park and throughout the country.
Follow the park’s social media from September 8-12 to see the collaborative effort between parks and programs across the service. This year’s campaign continues to celebrate the individuality of Grand Canyon by showcasing park style, chic rangers, and stunning spreads. After all, who fashions fashion better than us? (NPS File/L. Cisneros)
GRAND CANYON — Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will re-implement mandatory water conservation measures on both the North and South rims of the park. This is due to diminished water supplies as a result of a major pipeline break discovered…
Community level LOW–masking requirement indoors OPTIONAL
On Thursday, September 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Coconino County Community Level to LOW. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
Grand Canyon management has received updated information from the DOI and NPS on COVID guidance. We are reviewing this information and hoping to apply changes soon.
Additionally, the NPS Washington office has submitted new COVID guidance for concessionaires that removes mitigations that have been in place for building capacity, social distancing, and masking. We are working with the park’s concessionaires on these changes and expect most facilities to increase capacity indoors. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keable has announced the Prospectus Release for the 16-contracts to provide guided interpretive multi-day whitewater tours within Grand Canyon National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area. These tours will provide guides, boats, gear, meals and interpretation of Grand Canyon’s spectacular natural and cultural resources. The released prospectus outlines this business opportunity, describes the existing 16 contracts, and provides details on how to submit a responsive proposal.
Special Evening Program at Desert View Thursday, September 1
On September 5, Desert View will have its last sunset talk for the summer season.
The sunset talk on September 1 at 5:45 p.m. will feature Cultural Demonstrators, Bennard and Frances Dallasvuyaoma from Hopi. Their program will highlight the Hopi connection to Grand Canyon and also their personal connection through past relatives who have worked in the park.
Frances and Bennard Dallasvuyaoma are a husband and wife team who both left successful careers to become full-time jewelers. Their innovative jewelry is a dramatic blend of both ancient and contemporary traditions, techniques and materials. Cut and polished by hand, the natural gems and stones are set in a modern version of the ancient mosaic style. “We design each piece of jewelry to signify balance and harmony,” said Bennard. “When we talk about balance and harmony, we mean that there is an order to everything and nothing is in disarray.”
Frances and Bennard will also be demonstrating as part of the Cultural Demonstrator’s Program on September 1 and 2 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Desert View. Both are amazing Hopi silversmiths and enjoy mixing traditional and contemporary styles into their work.
On Thursday, August 18, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Coconino County Community Level to LOW. People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
Updates on local community levels for Coconino County will be posted and updated on the main nps.gov/grca webpage under the ‘Alerts’ section. This information will be updated weekly on Thursdays by the CDC.
We will keep employees, our stakeholders, and the public informed of any new developments as soon as they become available. For those wishing to post this signage outside of buildings and in workspaces, please see the attached signage.
Matthew Snider, Compost Crew Leader at Grand Canyon National Park, has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 National Park Service (NPS) Excellence in Natural Resource Stewardship through Maintenance award. This award recognizes an employee for outstanding contributions in natural resource management by a Facilities Management employee. This award is given to one individual, once a year.
On Thursday, August 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Coconino County Community Level to LOW. People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
Please note that this standard is flexible depending on conditions in Coconino County. It is possible that we may return to a mask requirement under this guidance if conditions in Coconino County returns to a HIGH community level.
Updates on local community levels for Coconino County will be posted and updated on the main nps.gov/grca webpage under the ‘Alerts’ section. This information will be updated weekly on Thursdays by the CDC.
We will keep employees, our stakeholders, and the public informed of any new developments as soon as they become available. For those wishing to post this signage outside of buildings and in workspaces, please see the attached signage.
Effective this weekend, Grand Canyon National Park will implement mandatory water conservation measures due to diminished water resources and storage on the South Rim. This measure is a reversal from earlier this week when water restrictions were lifted, as park managers have learned that storage tanks on the rim are not refilling at a sustainable rate. Water conservation measures require all park residents and visitors to conserve and reduce water usage wherever possible in homes, hotel rooms, and at the campgrounds.
Conservation measures require that all concessions operations switch to disposable dishes and utensils; alter menus to use less water for food prep and dish washing; adopt low water use for hotel room cleaning; and serve drinking water at restaurants by request only.
Native American Heritage Days take place this weekend on North Rim
The 27th Annual North Rim, Native American Heritage Days will take place on the grounds of Grand Canyon Lodge, this Friday, August 5, through Sunday, August 7.
Heritage Days provide visitors and staff with the opportunity to experience and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the Colorado Plateau, Arizona Strip, and the Grand Canyon region. Starting around 9:30 a.m. each day, special programs will be presented by tribal members on a variety of subjects, including, astronomy, cultural connections, and Native American music and dance performances. A variety of cultural artisan demonstrations will also be taking place, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day.
Some of this year’s demonstrators will include:
Richard Graymountain from Southern Paiute – Basket Weaving
Jessica Lomatewama – Hopi – Katsina Carving and Basket Weaving
Henry Nez Dine (Navajo) – Silversmith Jewelry making
Duane Maktima – Hopi/Laguna Pueblo – Silver Jewelry/metalsmithing
Leann & Tavavee Shearer “Kaivavich” Kaibab Paiute – traditional clothing creation
Lyle Harvey Dine Navajo – Loom Construction/Weaving
A full flyer of all the Heritage Days Demonstrators is available here.
Heritage Days began in 1993 as “Paiute Days” which celebrated the Paiute, the tribe most associated with Grand Canyon’s North Rim. In 1997, the event was expanded to include all 11 of Grand Canyon’s Associated Tribes with cultural ties to the canyon.
The schedule for each day is available on the Park’s website and mobile app, by clicking on the “calendar” button. A full flyer on the event is also available here.
Community level HIGH–masking requirement indoors remains in place
As of Thursday, July 28, Coconino County remains in High Community Level and masking requirements will remain in place at least until Thursday, August 4.
The CDC Community Level tracks a county’s ability to provide health care to COVID patients. In Arizona, 10 counties are in High. Across the United States, 42% of counties are in High, 38% of counties are in Medium, and 20% are in Low. Due to the High Community level, masks are required indoors within all government facilities, vehicles and shuttle busses, as well as commercial facilities operating within the park.
In this edition:
Community level HIGH–masking requirement indoors remains in place
Arizona and Grand Canyon Community Statistics
Vaccine Clinics in Grand Canyon and Tusayan on August 2
Reporting COVID symptoms is critical to limiting exposure and keeping our staff and community safe
Water conservation begins for South Rim Friday, July 22
Dragon Fire grows to 200 acres on North Rim
Tuweep day use pilot reservation program takes effect Thursday, July 21
Transcanyon Waterline Project Contract Solicitation
Closure of southwest boundary/Rowe Well Road beginning August 2
Desert View Construction update
Tusayan Pueblo Stabilization-2022
More …
Project update-Grand Canyon school fiber project
Last month, Commnet completed a fiber optics project that will now bring improved high-speed capability and bandwidth to the Grand Canyon School from Williams. Now that Commnet has completed the fiber optic project servicing the school, the park is exploring ways to utilize the incoming improved telecommunications services for park administrative functions.
New NPS owned/operated telecommunications infrastructure may be installed, or additional telecommunications infrastructure owned and operated by a commercial entity could occur–which must be authorized through the Right-of-Way permitting process. A sub-group of park staff from the Telecommunications Inter-Disciplinary Team are meeting later this month to identify next steps for improving telecommunications capabilities for Grand Canyon.
We will keep park staff and our community informed of the progression of this project, as well as other future telecommunications updates.
Park staff and contractors have successfully repaired the electrical system that supports water delivery from the Roaring Springs Pumphouse to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Water restrictions have been removed and the park has resumed basic water conservation measures.
An electrical failure north of Roaring Springs was identified on June 26, resulting in limited water services and water conservation measures.
Grand Canyon National Park always operates under water conservation measures, encouraging all residents, visitors, and businesses to mindfully use water and adopt basic water conservation practices.
On July 1, 2022, juvenile smallmouth bass were found in the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam. Smallmouth bass are a predatory non-native fish that have adversely impacted native and federally protected fish in the upper basin of the Colorado River over the last 20 years. The National Park Service (NPS) is working closely with partners and stakeholders to coordinate rapid response actions to address this finding in accordance with previously approved management plans.
Masking requirement indoors remains in place
Grand Canyon NP has been directed by the Department of Interior (DOI) to use Center of Disease Controls (CDC) COVID Community Levels to put in place guidance and masking requirements to protect our community, park employees, and visitors. Last week the CDC COVID Community Levels were High for the first time since this metric was used. Consequently, we were required to implemented masking for all individuals over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status, in all park buildings and in public transportation per DOI policy. As of Thursday, July 7, Coconino County has transitioned into Medium Community Level.
