Cooks Meadow and the pedestrian trail through Cooks Meadow in Yosemite Valley on Saturday, April 7, 2018. NPS Photo

Yosemite National Park Experienced Significant Impacts from Weekend Storm  

April 8, 2018 - Yosemite Valley will open to all vehicles and visitors at 12:00 noon today. Yosemite Valley has been closed to the public since Friday due to anticipated impacts to roads and infrastructure from high water. Water levels in the Merced River crested at 13.73 feet at Pohono Bridge, which is approximately 4 feet over flood stage. Park roads were 2 to 4 feet underwater Saturday afternoon through late Saturday night.

Water on the roads has receded as of early Sunday morning, April 8. Park crews are working to clear water, rocks, and debris from roads in Yosemite Valley. Yosemite National Park will continue to assess the impact and potential damage to infrastructure due to storm activity. Visitors to Yosemite Valley should expect delays on roads as Park Staff work to clean up from the storm. Motorists are advised to drive with caution in work zones.

Visitor services, lodging, and food service operations in Yosemite Valley will open at 12:00 noon today. Some services may be closed or delayed due to flooding impacts.   

For current information on YARTS bus service and schedule, visit www.yarts.com.

For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200, press 1 and press 1 again. Updated information is also available on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/yose. 
Source: NPS