After a devastating flash flood two weeks ago, the Havasupai Tribal Council indefinitely closed the Havasu trail and campgrounds to visitors. Last week, they announced the trail will remain closed until the end of September to give the tribe time to rebuild.
The flood left over 100 visiting campers and tribal members stranded and one woman, Chenoa Nickerson, dead after being swept into the torrent. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs called on the state’s National Guard to carry out helicopter evacuations.
While the turquoise waters have returned, the tribe is still assessing damage to the main trail to Supai Village, trails within the village, tribal member homes, public utility systems and the campgrounds.
The tribal council announced that the area will reopen in October. Tourists with reservations between August 22 and September 30 will have the opportunity to reschedule their stay.
The Havasupai Reservation is very susceptible to flash floods. The area has sustained significant damage after severe floods in 2018, 2019 and 2022. According to the Havasupai Reservation webpage, floods can occur anytime of the year, but the risk of a flash flood is greatest during monsoon season, which runs from late June to August.
During these months, there is a high risk of flash floods occurring without warning. The tribe advises, “If you hear the flood waters approaching or if you are caught in a rainstorm, climb to high ground immediately and wait until it clears. Do not enter the narrow part of the canyon where you might not be able to climb the canyon walls in the event of an unexpected flood.”
The Havasupai Reservation consists of 188,077 acres, with just over 600 tribal members who primarily work in tourism.
The Havasupai Reservation is located on the border of Grand Canyon National Park. The National Park Service does not administer the land, but they do help educate visitors on reservation and access requirements for the Havasupai area.
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