Search and recovery efforts for Tim Smith entered a second week at Grand Canyon National Park, as crews continued working near the Colorado River and the flood-damaged canyon.
River teams searched Sept. 5 and were expected to continue those efforts through the week, while crews elsewhere assessed damaged infrastructure and worked to support the South Rim’s limited water supply, the park said.
Smith remained the only person reported missing after the Aug. 29 flooding. He had been traveling with John Giusti and Brent Rosenkranz, who were confirmed to have died in the flood.
Tim's wife Carrie last posted about the search for her husband on Sept. 4.
"We are through the initial shock of what has happened. But now feel like everyday is the same and we
are anxiously awaiting news." Carrie Smith said. "We are still so amazed by all the support from near and far."
Since her husband's disappearance, Carrie Smith traveled with her mother and three children back to Texas, where the family is originally from, according to a Facebook post.
"Our hearts are still breaking and we are worried and anxious, but ready to be in Texas near family and friends who understand what we are going through," Carrie Smith said.
Border Patrol assists in search efforts
Border Patrol agents with the agency's Search, Trauma and Rescue team, known as BORSTAR, were among crews working along the Colorado River.
In a photo shared by the park, an agent waded through muddy river water past his knees as a search dog swam alongside him.
Another showed a search dog standing on destroyed trees and branches amassed above the river, the canyon walls rising steeply around the dog as an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter flew overhead.
Water restrictions at the Grand Canyon
Above the river, the park was still reckoning with what the flood left behind.
Park officials were working to support residents and employees as the South Rim continued relying on a limited supply of stored water.
Officials said 583 cases of donated drinking water were distributed to South Rim residents Sept. 5, with about 1,000 additional cases expected to be available Sept. 6, according to an update.
Crews also planned to place 52 portable toilets and more than 100 handwashing stations throughout affected areas beginning Sept. 6.
Teams had identified locations for temporary showers and laundry facilities.
The South Rim remained under Stage 4 water restrictions after the flooding damaged critical water infrastructure. Park officials previously said aerial surveys showed miles of the 12.5-mile Transcanyon Waterline could be damaged.
Damage assessments continued around Phantom Ranch and the Delta area, including utilities and other critical infrastructure, the park said. Phantom Ranch remained closed.
Much of Grand Canyon National Park remained open, though several trails and facilities remained closed and visitors were being asked to bring drinking water from outside the South Rim system and conserve water during their stay.
Rey Covarrubias Jr. is a reporter for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@azcentral.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Grand Canyon water restrictions in place as hiker search continues
