Grand Canyon river permit holders affected by future high flows will be contacted. River Permit staff will call and email permit holders to insure that boaters are informed as to the conditions they can expect during their visit.

Here are some tips for boaters on the river during a high flow. Please Plan Ahead and Prepare, taking into account the following points.

1. During a high flow you can expect a faster river, approximately twice as fast as more typical flows.

2. Some river camps may be under water during a high flow period. More competition for river camps should be expected.

3. Water levels will be even higher and faster where the canyon narrows, and a higher percentage of campsites may be unusable in these locations (i.e. the Upper Granite Gorge in the vicinity of Phantom Ranch).

4. Driftwood will likely be wet and unusable during and after a high flow; you may want to pack your own firewood. Gathering wood other than driftwood, as always, is not allowed.

5. Even after a high flow recedes, some camps may remain wet and/or muddy.

6. River users should still camp in the riparian river corridor on sandbars, not in the fragile, slow to heal desert scrub located above the historic high water line. This historic high water line can be viewed on the banks by a line of obvious vegetation change. At the height of a high flow, water levels will be well below the historical high water line.

7. Guidebooks for running the rapids were not written for this water level. Some rapids will wash out while others will become much more challenging. Use extra caution and if in doubt, always scout.

All river users should check the USGS Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center’s Web site at:

http://www.gcmrc.gov/research/high_flow/2008/

or call Grand Canyon National Park’s River Permits Office
1-800-959-9164 (Monday - Friday; 8:00am – 5:00pm Arizona Time).

Very few Grand Canyon backcountry permit holders will be affected by higher river flows. Those camping along the river corridor during a high flow should plan ahead and prepare. Anyone with a concern or question should contact the Backcountry Information Center as well as look for updated information at the Hermit, Bright Angel, South Kaibab and Grandview Trailheads.

All backcountry permit holders camping on the river between during a high flow period can find out more information by checking the USGS Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center’s Web site at:

http://www.gcmrc.gov/research/high_flow/2008/

or by calling Grand Canyon National Park’s Backcountry Permits Office 
(928) 638-7875 (Monday - Friday; 1pm to 5pm Arizona Time) or email them here. All backcountry permit holders camping on the Colorado River during a high flow should carefully pick a camp location at a greater distance from river’s edge than normal.  

Contacts:

Grand Canyon National Park’s River Permits Office at 1-800-959-9164

Visit Grand Canyon National Park's permit page:
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/permits.htm