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High Water Leads To Number Of Closures In Yosemite National Park

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Published Date

May 23, 2023

Spring runoff has caused some flooding issues in the Yosemite Valley/NPS

With snowmelt rushing down out of the High Sierra, floodwaters are creating some problems in Yosemite National Park, where some campgrounds in the Yosemite Valley are closed at least through Wednesday.

As of Tuesday morning, the following alerts had been issued by the park:

  • North Pines, Lower Pines, and Housekeeping Camp are closed through at least Wednesday night.
  • When unusually warm weather meets several feet of dense Sierra Nevada snow, things get interesting. All that water has to go somewhere. Quite a bit is flowing through Yosemite Valley right now, tumbling spectacularly over cliffs and cutting through canyons, pouring into the Merced River and overflowing its banks, blissfully unconcerned with human inventions like roads and campgrounds.
  • Minor flooding continues in Yosemite Valley, with water levels forecast to peak over the next few nights. Forecasts show cooler weather and decreased flooding starting mid-week, but staff expects additional flooding off and on until early July. 
  • Visitors may encounter water on roads, especially in the morning and evening.
  • Admire rivers, creeks, and waterfalls from a safe distance. Flowing water is surprisingly swift, cold, and dangerous, even if it appears calm from the surface. Stay back from flowing water, and keep off of slick rocks along waterways.
  • Do not attempt to cross bridges with water flowing over them.

Staff warns visitors not to try to wade, swim, or float on any rivers or creeks. Yosemite’s waters are completely closed to rafting and other recreation. Rivers are icy cold, incredibly powerful, and extremely hazardous.

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