In response to a well pump failure at the Palatki Heritage Site, the Coconino National Forest announced on Thursday, September 26th, that the site will be closed until at least Thursday, October 10th for repairs.

“We do not have a safe living environment for the hosts who are on site 24 hours a day,” said Coconino National Forest Permit Administrator L.J. Valon Burkhardt. “I hope the shutdown won’t be too long, but I just don’t want to invite them.” [people] We will stay there until we have safe living and working conditions again. ”

The U.S. Forest Service plans to install a temporary buffalo storage system or repair well pumps. The repair process is currently under bid, but estimated costs have not yet been determined.

“We filled the water buffalo with water from the ranger station and carried it out of there,” said heritage manager Nicholas Massoni. “So that’s about 300 gallons of water, and if you’re conservative with your water usage, you’ll probably be able to sustain four people for about a week. And every week, no matter how long the problem lasts. You just need to refill it.”

Massoni said the Water Buffalo also takes time to set up, requiring several cleanings and testing routines before it can be used.

The closure was announced on recreation.gov, social media and on signs along the route to the Palatki ruins. The Honanki ruins remain open 3.7 miles to the northwest. Officials also recommend directing visitors to the Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site, 6750 Forest Service Road 618 in Rimrock, which is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. extended until the time.

“We’re trying to schedule contractors to come in and order parts. It’s a pretty old system, over 25 years old,” Varon-Burkhart said. “However, we hope to have it back up and running this week. Getting that done so we can open it to the public is a priority for district rangers and technical staff.”