As the mercury rises, the Merced River is predicted to swell beyond its banks, threatening to inundate the tourist hub of Yosemite National Park. Forecasters warn that the historic snowpack along the Sierra Nevada peaks will unleash a torrent of runoff, causing widespread flooding in the region. The National Weather Service meteorologist David Spector warned, “Downslope, there will be problems.” The area around the Pohono Bridge, just east of the park’s central entrance, is expected to reach flood stage by Friday.
The Merced River is forecast to reach 11.5 feet at the Pohono Bridge by Sunday afternoon, according to California Nevada River Forecast Center. If it rises an additional foot, the main roads in Yosemite Valley will be submerged. To mitigate the risk, most of Yosemite Valley will be closed starting Friday at 10 pm, with an estimated reopening on Wednesday, May 3. However, officials remain cautious, warning that additional flooding and closures may occur in May or June.
While minor spring floods are common, the park has endured more severe surges in the past. In 1997, the Merced rose above 23 feet at Pohono, causing significant damage, with picnic tables and enormous boulders swept away. Officials described the scene as chaotic, with parts of the park submerged and infrastructure damaged to the tune of $178 million.
Yosemite’s Flooded Future Looms LargeThis year, forecasts suggest the river will not reach its record high, but the situation remains tenuous. The park has already seen a grueling winter, with weeks-long closures and scattered destruction from snowstorms. The intense winter followed a series of extreme weather events, including wildfires that shrouded the park in smoke.
With the weather outlook uncertain, visitors face the prospect of further delays or cancellations. “It is very likely that the Merced River will reach flood stage off and on from late April through early July,” officials warned on the park’s website. As the weather continues to warm, the Merced River’s fate remains tied to the capricious whims of California’s weather. One thing is certain: this flood threat will not be the last this season.