YOSEMITE (KMJ) — The warmer temperatures forecast this week, could mean flooding at Yosemite National Park as the snow starts to melt.
The focus of concern is the Merced River, which the National Weather Service reveals is expected to remain a concern until the end of the week.
“Our gauge of record, if you will, is the Pohono Gauge, in the western part of Yosemite Valley,” says the site’s Scott Gediman.
“When the river gauge hits 10 feet that’s what’s considered flood stage. At about 10½ feet the river could impact some campgrounds, a little higher it could impact roads, a little higher than that it could impact units along the housekeeping camp.”
For now the flow is being monitored, but officials are prepared to take action should the situation require it.
“As the water goes up it can impact sites, can impact roads. We’ve done the closures of the campsites and some of the housekeeping units in anticipation of it.
“But it’s one of those things that the river level generally peaks very early in the morning hours with the snow melt, then will go down for the rest of the day.”
Advice for those visiting the area is to be careful near flooding water, stay back from the river’s edge, and avoid walking on slippery rocks.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
