Grand Canyon National Park is using emergency water conservation measures to slow the draw on South Rim reserves as crews continue searching for missing hiker Tim Smith and assessing damage from the Aug. 29 flash flood, officials said Sept. 7.

The flood damaged critical infrastructure in the Canyon and left Smith missing after more than a week.

Smith was traveling with John Giusti and Brent Rosenkranz, who were confirmed to have died in the flood. Smith's wife, Carrie, last posted about the search for her husband on Sept. 8.

The park said teams had begun using aerial data collected by uncrewed aircraft to help assess the area and search for Smith.

The South Rim has relied on stored water since flooding damaged the park's water system. Park officials said Aug. 31 that about two weeks of water was available in storage at the time, though how long it would last depended on daily use.

In a Sept. 7 update from the National Park, crews continued to assess damage and work to restore infrastructure and water service in the canyon.

Water conservation efforts offset about 105,000 gallons of potable water use each day on the South Rim, according to the update.

Stored water declined more slowly during the latest operational period than it typically does under normal conditions with unrestricted visitation, the park said.

More than 13,500 gallons of potable drinking water was also staged throughout the park.

A campsite in the inner canyon flooded from the Bright Angel Creek flash flood event on Aug., 29, 2026.Fatal flood: Grand Canyon search for missing hiker continues (Provided by the National Park Service)
A campsite in the inner canyon flooded from the Bright Angel Creek flash flood event on Aug., 29, 2026.Fatal flood: Grand Canyon search for missing hiker continues (Provided by the National Park Service)
Bright Angel Campground after the flash flood event that occurred on Aug. 29, 2026. Campsite areas were damaged and multiple footbridges were destroyed. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Bright Angel Campground after the flash flood event that occurred on Aug. 29, 2026. Campsite areas were damaged and multiple footbridges were destroyed. (Provided by the National Park Service)
The campground restrooms along Bright Angel Creek after the Bright Angel flash flood. (Provided by the National Park Service)
The campground restrooms along Bright Angel Creek after the Bright Angel flash flood. (Provided by the National Park Service)
The Bright Angel Campground sign remains standing after the Bright Angel flash flood event. Multiple footbridges were washed away. (Provided by the National Park Service)
The Bright Angel Campground sign remains standing after the Bright Angel flash flood event. Multiple footbridges were washed away. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Bright Angel Creek the day after the Bright Angel flash flood that occurred Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Bright Angel Creek the day after the Bright Angel flash flood that occurred Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Flooded area along Bright Angel Campground at 6:55 a.m. Aug. 30, 2026, the day after the Bright Angel flash flood. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Flooded area along Bright Angel Campground at 6:55 a.m. Aug. 30, 2026, the day after the Bright Angel flash flood. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Flooding in Bright Angel Creek at about 4:13 p.m. Aug. 29, 2026. The flash flood started around 2:30 p.m. the same day. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Flooding in Bright Angel Creek at about 4:13 p.m. Aug. 29, 2026. The flash flood started around 2:30 p.m. the same day. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Bright Angel Creek during the Bright Angel flash flood, shortly after 3:15 p.m. on Aug. 29, 2026. The flash flood began at approximately 2:30 p.m. Black Bridge, which connects the North and South Kaibab trails is in the distance. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Bright Angel Creek during the Bright Angel flash flood, shortly after 3:15 p.m. on Aug. 29, 2026. The flash flood began at approximately 2:30 p.m. Black Bridge, which connects the North and South Kaibab trails is in the distance. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Debris washed up from the Bright Angel flash flood event that occurred Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Debris washed up from the Bright Angel flash flood event that occurred Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Individuals being evacuated in the early evening on Aug. 29, 2026. The Bright Angel flash flood began at approximately 2:30 p.m. As of the morning of Aug. 30, 62 people were evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Individuals being evacuated in the early evening on Aug. 29, 2026. The Bright Angel flash flood began at approximately 2:30 p.m. As of the morning of Aug. 30, 62 people were evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Two people stand among debris near a footbridge that was destroyed at 4:14 p.m. Aug. 29 2026. The flash flood started at approximately 2:30 p.m. the same day. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Two people stand among debris near a footbridge that was destroyed at 4:14 p.m. Aug. 29 2026. The flash flood started at approximately 2:30 p.m. the same day. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A view of the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch wastewater treatment plant from the Silver Bridge during the flash flood event, Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A view of the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch wastewater treatment plant from the Silver Bridge during the flash flood event, Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Damaged campsites at Bright Angel Campground from the Bright Angel flash flood that occured on Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Damaged campsites at Bright Angel Campground from the Bright Angel flash flood that occured on Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Washed out trail along Bright Angel Creek after the Bright Angel flash flood. Debris from flooding is present throughout the creek. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Washed out trail along Bright Angel Creek after the Bright Angel flash flood. Debris from flooding is present throughout the creek. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Fallen trees from the Bright Angel flash flood in the Bright Angel Creek area known as The Box. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Fallen trees from the Bright Angel flash flood in the Bright Angel Creek area known as The Box. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A building at Phantom Ranch remains intact after the Bright Angel flash flood event that occurred on Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A building at Phantom Ranch remains intact after the Bright Angel flash flood event that occurred on Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Mud and Debris in Bright Angel Creek after the Bright Angel flash flood that occurred Aug. 29 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Mud and Debris in Bright Angel Creek after the Bright Angel flash flood that occurred Aug. 29 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Pieces of footbridges lay in the mud after the Bright Angel flash flood event. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Pieces of footbridges lay in the mud after the Bright Angel flash flood event. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Debris from the Bright Angel flash flood event. Photo taken the next morning on Aug. 30, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Debris from the Bright Angel flash flood event. Photo taken the next morning on Aug. 30, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Debris in Bright Angel Creek after the Bright Angel flash flood that occurred on Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Debris in Bright Angel Creek after the Bright Angel flash flood that occurred on Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A flooded campsite at Bright Angel Campground during the flash flood on Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A flooded campsite at Bright Angel Campground during the flash flood on Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A flooded path in the Bright Angel Creek area at 2:31 p.m. Aug. 29, 2026, approximately the start of the Bright Angel flash flood. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A flooded path in the Bright Angel Creek area at 2:31 p.m. Aug. 29, 2026, approximately the start of the Bright Angel flash flood. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Flooded areas in Phantom Ranch during the flash flood event on Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Flooded areas in Phantom Ranch during the flash flood event on Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Flooding in Bright Angel Creek shortly after 3:15 p.m. Aug. 29, 2026. Flooding started at approximately 2:30 p.m. the same day. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Flooding in Bright Angel Creek shortly after 3:15 p.m. Aug. 29, 2026. Flooding started at approximately 2:30 p.m. the same day. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A footbridge along Bright Angel Creek washed away during the Bright Angel flash flood on Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A footbridge along Bright Angel Creek washed away during the Bright Angel flash flood on Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A footbridge along Bright Angel Creek washed away during the Bright Angel flash flood in August. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A footbridge along Bright Angel Creek washed away during the Bright Angel flash flood in August. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Buildings at Phantom Ranch remain intact after the Bright Angel Creek flash flood. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Buildings at Phantom Ranch remain intact after the Bright Angel Creek flash flood. (Provided by the National Park Service)
The Phantom Ranch Canteen and other structures remain intact after the Bright Angel flash flood event that occurred on Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
The Phantom Ranch Canteen and other structures remain intact after the Bright Angel flash flood event that occurred on Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A building at Phantom Ranch remains intact after the Bright Angel Creek flash flood. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A building at Phantom Ranch remains intact after the Bright Angel Creek flash flood. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Phantom Ranch at 2:23 p.m. Aug. 29, 2026. The Bright Angel flash flood started at approximately 2:30 p.m. the same day. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Phantom Ranch at 2:23 p.m. Aug. 29, 2026. The Bright Angel flash flood started at approximately 2:30 p.m. the same day. (Provided by the National Park Service)
The Phantom Ranch Canteen area at 2:22 p.m. Aug. 29, 2026. The Bright Angel flash flood started at approximately 2:30 p.m. that day. (Provided by the National Park Service)
The Phantom Ranch Canteen area at 2:22 p.m. Aug. 29, 2026. The Bright Angel flash flood started at approximately 2:30 p.m. that day. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A footbridge along Bright Angel Creek is destroyed after the Bright Angel flash flood that occurred Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A footbridge along Bright Angel Creek is destroyed after the Bright Angel flash flood that occurred Aug. 29, 2026. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Storm clouds over the canyon at 2:14 p.m. Aug. 29, 2026. The Bright Angel flash flood started at approximately 2:30 p.m. the same day. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Storm clouds over the canyon at 2:14 p.m. Aug. 29, 2026. The Bright Angel flash flood started at approximately 2:30 p.m. the same day. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Destroyed trail near Bright Angel Campground. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Destroyed trail near Bright Angel Campground. (Provided by the National Park Service)
View from the Bright Angel Creek area at 3:32 p.m. Aug. 29, 2026. The Bright Angel flash flood started at approximately 2:30 the same day. (Provided by the National Park Service)
View from the Bright Angel Creek area at 3:32 p.m. Aug. 29, 2026. The Bright Angel flash flood started at approximately 2:30 the same day. (Provided by the National Park Service)
A view of Black Bridge where the South Kaibab Trail meets the North Kaibab Trail on Aug. 30, 2026, the morning after the Bright Angel Flash Flood (Provided by the National Park Service)
A view of Black Bridge where the South Kaibab Trail meets the North Kaibab Trail on Aug. 30, 2026, the morning after the Bright Angel Flash Flood (Provided by the National Park Service)

A campsite in the inner canyon flooded from the Bright Angel Creek flash flood event on Aug., 29, 2026.

Fatal flood: Grand Canyon search for missing hiker continues

Have a news tip? Contact The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com at [email protected].  

Rey Covarrubias Jr. is a reporter for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: [email protected], and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ.  

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Grand Canyon slows water loss as search for missing hiker continues