Merced, California, US

1) Stoneman Bridge to Sentinal Meadows Picnic Area (Yosemite Valley)

Usual Difficulty	I (for normal flows)
Length	6.03 Miles
Avg. Gradient	2 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
MERCED R A HAPPY ISLES BRIDGE NR YOSEMITE CA
usgs-11264500	200 - 2000 cfs	I	01h06m	58 cfs (rc= -0.1 )

River Description

Floating on the Merced River is one the nicest ways of viewing Yosemite Valley. A slow float trip allows one to stare at the cliffs and waterfalls for long periods and appreciate the more subtle aspects. The roads are far enough away that the traffic noise is much reduced; even absent in spots. The river is wide enough and trees are far enough back to allow wonderful views of the valley walls. During summer, the Curry Company rents small rafts for people to float on the river. During the afternoons the river gets congested. Experienced boaters will tend to prefer spring floats in order to view the waterfalls at their peaks. The rangers will tend to be discouraging at this time of year though. Floating is legal as long as there is enough space for floaters to pass underneath the Sentinal bridge.  

Most of the float is flatwater, but there are sections of swiftwater, especially in the beginning. In spots, when there is higher flow, there can even be modest little waves. 

Put in: The present legal put in is at Stoneman Bridge, on the main connecting road between Yosemite Village and Curry Village. Signs prohibit launching at the stables or anywhere upstream of Stoneman.   The Curry Company rafts all launch on river left, downstream side of the bridge.   There is a heavily erroded trail down to the water.  The park biologists would prefer that people launch from a beach on the river right, downstream side of the bridge, but there is limited parking on that side.

Take out: Sentinal Beach, on river left is the last legal take out on this section. Floating past this point is very nice, but currently not permitted by the Park.  From the southside road, turn onto the Sentinal Picnic Area road.   Park at the end and walk out to the river.  Northside and Southside drives are one way in most of the valley, so from the put in, take Northside Drive to El Cap Meadows, where you can cross to Southside Drive.

Hazards:  Logs and strainers are common along the length of this reach. They will change position from year to year during the high flow season.  At times logs may completely block the channel.   Water temperature will be cold all year long, and in the spring it will be ice cold. 

Other Information Sources:
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Water Activities
CaCreeks River Guide - Merced thru Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Conservancy Webcams    These do not show the river, but do show what the weather is like.
Happy Isles Webcam:   USGS page that shows the river.

Merced & SF Merced Planning Process:
The Merced River Plan process is still accepting public comments. Boaters should write comments about which sections of the river and tributaries that they like to boat on and want to boat on. Describe what the experience is like and how it fits into your appreciation and understanding of Yosemite.
Merced River Plan- Public scoping open! till Feb 4, 2010
Merced & South Fork Merced River Draft Outstandingly Remarkable Values Report (1.3 MB, PDF file)

Comment forms [772 kb PDF]
Submit comments electronically to the Yosemite National Park Service planning team at
yose_planning@nps.gov or
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/documentsOpenForReview.cfm?parkId=347&projectId=18982

Permit Information

It may be possible to get special use permits to boat other sections of the Merced in the park.