Guadalupe Mountains National Park Acting Superintendent, Darren Bryant, has updated an announcement that the Dog Canyon Area of the park, will close for approximately six weeks, beginning Jan. 20, 2015, to replace the water system. The project will involve replacing the existing 10,000-gallon, steel water tank with a 50,000-gallon, glass-lined water tank, new distribution lines, pumps and valves. During this project the water system will be shut down. No front or backcountry access will be available at Dog Canyon during the project and hikers and backpackers will not be able to obtain water there.
Bryant stated, "This project is a top priority and will make the visitor experience at Dog Canyon so much better. It will also improve the reliability of the fire suppression system. Most of the components of the existing system are beyond their estimated lifespan, so replacing these parts will minimize possible failures in the future."
Work on this project should be completed by the end of March 2015.
Park information, including park conditions, closures or restrictions, weather and program information, may be found on the park's website at www.nps.gov/gumo or by contacting the Pine Springs Visitor Center at 915-828-3251.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
