The National Weather Service has extended the Flood Warning for the Merced River inside of Yosemite National Park, at the Pohono Bridge on the west end of the Yosemite Valley.
Rapid mountain snowmelt will cause the river flows to remain high. Minor flooding is occurring.
The flood stage at the Pohono Bridge is 10.0 feet. At 10.0 feet, the western portion of North Pines Campground located at the east end of Yosemite Valley, between the confluence of the Merced River and Tenaya Creek, begins to flood. Water rises to the base of the swinging bridge downstream from Chapel Meadow.
As of 9 AM Thursday, the stage at Pohono Bridge was 9.7 feet. The river was expected to crest above flood stage, to 10.1 feet, early this morning (Friday).
This crest compares to a previous crest of 10.1 feet on 06/13/1996.
The Flood Warning will continue until Saturday morning.
Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. The next statement will be issued this morning at 10 AM PDT.
Written by Mark Truppner.
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