“The Merced river levels have started to rise and based on the river forecast and predictions it is expected to rise above ten feet which is the flood level.” –Chelsie Layman
As the weather warms after a historic snow year in the Sierra Nevada, much of Yosemite National Park will be temporarily closed as of today due to flooding concerns from the melting snowpack.
KYOU reports the eastern section of Yosemite Valley will stay off limits to the public until at least May 3. Campground and lodging reservations in the eastern valley will automatically be canceled and refunded.
Other sections including western Yosemite Valley will remain open. Day hikers who purchased wilderness permits for areas for closed areas can have them rescheduled for alternate trailheads as space allows.
California’s state climatologist Michael Anderson warns that rising temps will speed up the snowmelt and double the amount of water flowing into some of the state’s reservoirs.