[Leftcoast]

Yosemite NP will be closed from this Friday (April 28) until at least May 3 (but probably longer) as the weather heats up in the central Sierras. 

There's a link to the NPR article on this below but I've excerpted the first paragraphs in line.  

Note that there are no flood control dams on the Merced and Illilouette rivers above Yosemite Valley so a quick thaw will lead to flood conditions in the valley.  Downstream from Yosemite river flow is checked primarily at Lake McClure/New Exchequer dam before eventually joining the San Joaquin (near Turlock). Lake McClure is currently at 60% capacity while Don Pedro (fed by the adjoining Tuolumne watershed) is at 70%, both a bit higher than I might expect.

Yosemite National Park will be closed from Friday until at least May 3 because melting snow is expected to cause flooding in the area, the park said Tuesday.

The National Weather Service predicts temperatures will increase by 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit this weekend, prompting melting snow to raise the water levels in the Merced River.

This past winter, the Sierra Nevada region — which includes Yosemite Valley, Lake Tahoe and Mount Whitney — experienced snow levels at more than 300% than usual. - NPR April 26, 2023

https://www.npr.org/2023/04/26/117210952...d-flooding

[Leftcoast]

Yosemite NP will be closed from this Friday (April 28) until at least May 3 (but probably longer) as the weather heats up in the central Sierras. 

There's a link to the NPR article on this below but I've excerpted the first paragraphs in line.  

Note that there are no flood control dams on the Merced and Illilouette rivers above Yosemite Valley so a quick thaw will lead to flood conditions in the valley.  Downstream from Yosemite river flow is checked primarily at Lake McClure/New Exchequer dam before eventually joining the San Joaquin (near Turlock). Lake McClure is currently at 60% capacity while Don Pedro (fed by the adjoining Tuolumne watershed) is at 70%, both a bit higher than I might expect.

Yosemite National Park will be closed from Friday until at least May 3 because melting snow is expected to cause flooding in the area, the park said Tuesday.

The National Weather Service predicts temperatures will increase by 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit this weekend, prompting melting snow to raise the water levels in the Merced River.

This past winter, the Sierra Nevada region — which includes Yosemite Valley, Lake Tahoe and Mount Whitney — experienced snow levels at more than 300% than usual. - NPR April 26, 2023

https://www.npr.org/2023/04/26/117210952...d-flooding