Death Valley National Park reports flood recovery progress, water‑system bids and a rising pupfish viewing
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Summary
Acting Deputy Superintendent Abby Wines told the board about flood repairs, reopening of Badwater Road and Salt Creek boardwalk, water/wastewater bids for Furnace Creek/Cow Creek, campground closures pending repairs, a hiring freeze, and a forthcoming accessibility plan and public comment period.
Acting Deputy Superintendent Abby Wines updated the Inyo County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 17 about ongoing flood recovery, park infrastructure work and operations at Death Valley National Park.
Wines said fall floods damaged roads and backcountry access but that recovery has progressed: Badwater Road and North Highway are open and West Side Road reopened the morning of the board meeting. Salt Creek Boardwalk was restored using a mix of Federal Highway Administration funds, NPS funds and donations; Wines said the boardwalk is now wheelchair accessible and that visitors can see hundreds of pupfish during the upcoming spawning season.
Mesquite Springs Campground and other flood‑damaged sites are being repaired; Titus Canyon repairs have bidders under review and a contract award is expected soon with a one‑year performance window. Wines said the Furnace Creek and Cow Creek water/wastewater replacement project has been bid and will be a multi‑year, large project — the National Park Service expects to award a contract and will provide schedules when available.
Wines also addressed an ongoing staffing and hiring freeze: permanent hires are limited to positions that protect public health and safety; the park has hired additional seasonals to support operations. She noted recent highs in visitation during festival events and estimated 1.4 million visits last year (slightly below the all‑time high).
On interpretive content, a public commenter asked about the Timbisha Shoshone exhibit revisions following Interior Department guidance. Wines said the park submitted a draft exhibit to the Department of the Interior under a new secretarial order and that reviewers identified two items out of conformity; the park paused installing a proposed new exhibit until wording acceptable to reviewers and tribal partners is agreed upon.
Wines thanked the board for previously allocated funds and noted several opportunities for county‑park collaboration on water and access projects; she said an accessibility self‑evaluation and transition plan will go out for public comment in coming weeks.
The board asked follow‑up questions about converting campgrounds with broken potable water to dry‑camping status, timelines for major water/wastewater contracts and recommendations to help make Scotty’s Castle reopening viable under legacy restoration funding.