Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Rising Waters in Yosemite: So Beautiful, So Dangerous
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 6 years ago on
June 13, 2019

Share

Water is coming on strong in Yosemite National Park. Rivers and waterfalls tumbling over some of nature’s most spectacular landscapes are an incredible sight.
They also are incredibly hazardous and potentially deadly. The National Weather Service and National Park Service are warning park visitors not to take risks with swift-moving, chilly water.

The Merced River at Pohono Bridge will likely crest above flood stage Thursday night or early Friday.
According to the weather service office in Hanford, the Merced River at Pohono Bridge, within sight of Bridalveil Fall and the Wawona Road vista point, will likely crest above flood stage Thursday night or early Friday. The surging river is expected to flood part of Lower Pines Campground.
The Merced River level also will be hazardous to the base of the swinging bridge, downstream from Chapel Meadow, the weather service said.

Water Accidents are No. 2 Cause of Yosemite Fatalities

The park service noted that mountain water can be deceivingly cold, especially when twinned with warmer air temperatures as summer approaches. Merced River water comes from runoff from a heavy Sierra snowpack; its average temperature in the park is 60 degrees. It someone falls in, hypothermia can set in quickly, making it difficult for even strong swimmer to handle the current, which can pin a person against a rock or other object.
Water accidents are the second most common cause of fatalities in Yosemite (vehicle accidents are No. 1), the park service said. Swimming and wading are forbidden in places such as Emerald Pool, above Vernal Fall, where several accidents occur each year.
If you tumble into rushing water, try to move into a defensive position. Roll onto your back and point your toes downstream.
Better yet, keep a respectful distance from the river and enjoy the views. The Upper Yosemite, Bridalveil and Vernal waterfalls are spectacular right now.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Rancho Cucamonga Prepares for First US Bullet Train Hub in 2028

DON'T MISS

8 Ways Musk and Trump Could Inflict Pain on Each Other

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified’s Leadership Team Is Double the Size of a Peer District With Better Test Scores

DON'T MISS

Sunday’s Life Jacket Giveaway Promotes Safety on Fresno Area Waters

DON'T MISS

D-Day Veterans Return to Normandy to Mark 81st Anniversary of Landings

DON'T MISS

Lambda Legal, a Nonprofit Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights, Exceeded Fundraising Goal by $105M

DON'T MISS

Jury Awards California Prosecutor $3 Million After She Says She Was Forced Out of Her Position

DON'T MISS

How Trump’s Pick for Surgeon General Uses Her Big Online Following to Make Money

DON'T MISS

Gaza Marks the Start of Eid With Outdoor Prayers in the Rubble and Food Growing Ever Scarcer

DON'T MISS

Wall Street Gains Ground Following a Solid Jobs Report

UP NEXT

D-Day Veterans Return to Normandy to Mark 81st Anniversary of Landings

UP NEXT

Lambda Legal, a Nonprofit Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights, Exceeded Fundraising Goal by $105M

UP NEXT

This Pop-Up Nightclub Is a Place of ‘Pure Happiness’ for Merced’s Disabled Adults

UP NEXT

Fresno State’s Ag College Is Growing. A New Corporate Sponsor Will Help Them

UP NEXT

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

UP NEXT

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

UP NEXT

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

UP NEXT

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

UP NEXT

Fresno Rainbow Pride Marks 35th Year with Saturday Parade and Festival

Sunday’s Life Jacket Giveaway Promotes Safety on Fresno Area Waters

2 hours ago

D-Day Veterans Return to Normandy to Mark 81st Anniversary of Landings

2 hours ago

Lambda Legal, a Nonprofit Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights, Exceeded Fundraising Goal by $105M

2 hours ago

Jury Awards California Prosecutor $3 Million After She Says She Was Forced Out of Her Position

2 hours ago

How Trump’s Pick for Surgeon General Uses Her Big Online Following to Make Money

2 hours ago

Gaza Marks the Start of Eid With Outdoor Prayers in the Rubble and Food Growing Ever Scarcer

3 hours ago

Wall Street Gains Ground Following a Solid Jobs Report

3 hours ago

Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady Bounces Back in Game 2 After Game 1 Heartbreak

3 hours ago

French Open: No. 2 Coco Gauff Faces No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Women’s Final

3 hours ago

Aaron Rodgers Ends Months-Long Dance With Steelers by Agreeing to a 1-Year Deal

3 hours ago

Rancho Cucamonga Prepares for First US Bullet Train Hub in 2028

Rancho Cucamonga, a car-centric city 40 miles east of Los Angeles, is positioning itself to become America’s first high-speed rail hub...

3 minutes ago

3 minutes ago

Rancho Cucamonga Prepares for First US Bullet Train Hub in 2028

4 minutes ago

8 Ways Musk and Trump Could Inflict Pain on Each Other

52 minutes ago

Fresno Unified’s Leadership Team Is Double the Size of a Peer District With Better Test Scores

2 hours ago

Sunday’s Life Jacket Giveaway Promotes Safety on Fresno Area Waters

2 hours ago

D-Day Veterans Return to Normandy to Mark 81st Anniversary of Landings

2 hours ago

Lambda Legal, a Nonprofit Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights, Exceeded Fundraising Goal by $105M

2 hours ago

Jury Awards California Prosecutor $3 Million After She Says She Was Forced Out of Her Position

2 hours ago

How Trump’s Pick for Surgeon General Uses Her Big Online Following to Make Money

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend