Havasu Falls has undergone a “renovation,” so to speak, in the past couple of years.

In 2008, the falls were swept by a flash flood which culminated in multiple changes at the once familiar site. The flood was devastating in its effects, although luckily no serious injuries or casualties resulted.

Surprise! Two New Falls

After a ten month closing to deal with flood‘s aftereffects, the falls reopened last year, surprising visitors who were previously familiar with the area. Retaining their famous turquoise colors, there are now five falls in total at Havasu Falls, the first two of which are new, created by the flood. For the present, the falls are being referred to variously as New Navajo Falls and Rock Falls, Unnamed Falls or Emerald Falls. The Havasupai tribe will be responsible for naming the new falls permanently.

Fifty Foot Falls now rises to an impressive seventy-five feet, belying its prior moniker. Havasu Falls has remained, though its flow has been slightly altered. Havasu now tumbles from the right, just below its previous apex. Further down, Mooney Falls remains most similar to its pre-2008 appearance, though the pool below required some reconstruction. The biggest and most obvious change in the area is the extinction of Navajo Falls, a detour in water flow dried the falls, displacing the familiar landmark.

Floods – Part of the Canyon’s History

Floods have always been a part of the of the canyon’s history; a 1996 geological survey determined that at least fourteen floods have coursed through Havasupai in the past one hundred years, as well as noting evidence of flooding going back for centuries. Over time, the creek has shifted and changed its course, responding to natural upheavals.

Visitors can observe signs of the phenomena first hand - dry stream beds and mineral formation created by the waters abound, testifying to evolving nature and history of Havasu Falls.

Much of the income of the Havasupai Tribe is derived from tourism at the falls. After the flood, tribal members worked to restore the falls to their previous beauty and take protective measures, installing an early warning system for floods and reinforcing stream banks where necessary.

Rebirth of Havasu Falls

However, rather than trying to recreate what was, the people of Havasupai have accepted the changes at the falls, accepting that nature changes and recreates, evolving over time. From the tribal perspective, the falls have undergone a sort of cleansing and a rebirth. The dynamic impact of nature is to be embraced, part of our cycle.