CNRFC - Hydrology - Observed River/Reservoir Conditions

MERCED RIVER - YOSEMITE NP AT POHONO BRIDGE (POHC1)

Latitude: 37.72º N	Longitude: 119.67º W	Elevation: 3862 Feet
Location: Mariposa County in California		Bulletin Group: San Joaquin		River Group: San Joaquin

Action/Monitor: N/A

Minor Flood: 10.0 Feet

Moderate Flood: 12.5 Feet

Major Flood: 20.0 Feet

Plot Type:

Observed Data Credit
	Raw streamflow data is provided by the US Geological Survey (USGS). View US Geological Survey (USGS) Data for this station location.

Historical Stage/Flow Data
Water Year	Peak Discharge (cfs)	Stage (feet)	Date
Most Recent 5 Years
2025	3,980	7.81	May 11, 2025
2024	5,090	8.79	May 16, 2024
2023	9,520	12.08	May 22, 2023
2022	4,810	8.55	Oct 25 2021
2021	2,160	5.92	May 6, 2021
Historical High Stage/Flow Events (Period of Record - Oct 1916 to Present) - Ranked by Flow
1997	24,600	23.43	Jan 03, 1997
1956	23,400	21.52	Dec 23, 1955
1951	23,000	19.98	Nov 19, 1950
1938	22,000	19.10	Dec 11, 1937
1965	18,000	16.96	Dec 23, 1964
1963	13,200	14.25	Feb 01, 1963

Location Photographs
Upstream Photo	Gage House Photo	Downstream Photo

ESRI™ Locator Map

Flood Impacts
23.45 Feet	Flood of record...1/3/97. $178 million damage to Yosemite Valley.
13.6 Feet	Lift stations at Housekeeping Camp and Yosemite Creek flooded. Southside Drive at Chapel Meadow impassable.
12.5 Feet	Northside Drive at Wosky Pond, El Capitan crossover, and Sentinel crossover are impassable to vehicles.
12.0 Feet	Water on road at Northside Drive, Southside Drive, El Capitan crossover, Sentinel crossover, and Highway 140 near Cookie Cliff.
11.4 Feet	Water begins to overtop road curbs on Northside Drive. Swinging Bridge overtops.
10.0 Feet	Merced River at Pohono Bridge begins to rise out of its banks. Flood Stage.
9.5 Feet	Lower Pines and Housekeeping Camp begin flooding.
7.0 Feet	RIVER IS CLOSED TO RAFTERS AND FLOATATION DEVICES.

Product Disclaimer

This river graphic is not intended to serve as a substitute for official flood watches, warnings, advisories, or statements issued by the NWS San Joaquin Valley-Hanford Weather Forecast Office. Observations are preliminary and subject to change. River levels identified as "forecast" should be consistent with those contained in official NWS products. River levels identified as "guidance" have significant uncertainty due to future weather or reservoir regulation and are provided for planning purposes only.

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