Works in Progress
Cascades Diversion Dam Removal
Demolition of the deteriorated and flood-damaged Cascades Diversion Dam
and associated structures is underway. Visitors to the intersection of
the El Portal and Big Oak Flat Roads in the west end of Yosemite Valley
will experience a short detour around the construction zone. Complete
removal of the dam will involve taking out the dam abutments, the intake
structure, and the screenhouse. Once the structures are removed, the river
channel located beneath the dam site will be restored to natural conditions.
This project is expected to be complete in the spring of 2004. The removal
of Cascades Diversion Dam will help restore natural hydrologic processes
and the free-flowing condition of the Merced Wild and Scenic River.
Removal of Cascades Diversion
Dam (NPS Photo)
Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements
An environmental assessment was issued to the public on September 12,
2003, and public comments were accepted through October 11, 2003. The
park is currently in the process of reviewing comments and refining the
proposed projects and environmental assessment in response to these comments;
a decision document is pending. If approved, the first phase of the project
will include 10 new guest cabin-with-bath accommodations in Curry Village
and 75-89 new campsites in Upper Pines Campground. Construction of the
initial phase of this project would begin in May 2004, with completion
planned in early 2005.
(As of today, this planning effort is pending approval in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). If signed, the FONSI will be posted on the park’s planning web site. Although closed to public comment, the environmental assessments may still be viewed online at www.nps.gov/yose/planning.)
East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan
This plan provides guidance for development of utility systems in east
Yosemite Valley. Public review of the environmental assessment for this
project ended on September 2, 2003 and a decision document is pending.
Phase 1 of the plan, which constructs a consolidated corridor from Curry
Village to the Yosemite Creek Lift Station, is expected to begin in late
winter 2004.
(As of today, this planning effort is pending approval in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). If signed, the FONSI will be posted on the park’s planning web site. Although closed to public comment, the environmental assessments may still be viewed online at www.nps.gov/yose/planning.)
Lower Yosemite Fall Project
Construction is ongoing at the Lower Yosemite Fall area. While trail crews
rebuild the deck of the main bridge and expand the adjacent viewing terrace,
visitors will continue to have access to the western trail and main viewing
terrace below Lower Yosemite Fall. Trail crews have also been doing stonework
along the eastern trail and bridge approaches. Segments of the improved
eastern trail have been graded and recently paved. Visitors passing along
Northside Drive will notice the stone columns of the new restroom and
Yosemite Falls shuttle bus stop shelter. New footbridges and boardwalks
are also under construction along the loop trail. To protect the vegetation
in the construction site, National Park Service restoration crews are
removing invasive plants and planting native vegetation in disturbed areas.
This project is expected to be complete by next fall.
Improved Shuttle Bus Stops
In order to improve the experience of nearly 2.5 million annual passengers
on Yosemite Valley’s shuttle bus system, construction of new bus
stops and shelters is about to begin. Reconstruction of the first 5 of
11 shuttle stops will start in December 2003, including those at the Valley
Visitor Center, Sentinel Bridge, Happy Isles, and Mirror Lake. The remaining
6 stops—Yosemite Village, Degnan’s Deli, LeConte Memorial
Lodge/Housekeeping Camp, those at Curry Village west, and The Ahwahnee—will
be completed in spring 2004. Several other stops will be rebuilt over
the next three years as part of the Yosemite Lodge and Curry Village reconstruction
projects.
Yosemite Lodge Area Redevelopment
This project includes improvements to Yosemite Lodge, expansion of Camp
4, relocation of Northside Drive, and design of an Indian Cultural Center.
An environmental assessment for the project was released for public review
on September 12, 2003 and closed on October 11, 2003. Pending approval,
the Yosemite Lodge improvements will be performed in three phases with
Phase I construction beginning in spring 2004. Expansion of Camp 4 and
the Indian Cultural Center projects are planned for Phase II. Design work
is currently in progress for all phases of the Yosemite Lodge Area Redevelopment.
Copies of the site development concepts are available online at www.nps.gov/yose/planning.
(As of today, this planning effort is pending approval in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). If signed, the FONSI will be posted on the park’s planning web site. Although closed to public comment, the environmental assessments may still be viewed online at www.nps.gov/yose/planning.)
Curry Village Employee Housing
Tree removal associated with construction of the concession employee housing
area at Curry Village has begun. This housing development was called for
in the Yosemite Valley Plan. The housing area will include 28 one- and
two-story buildings, which will be in keeping with the architectural character
of the historic Camp Curry area. The final design is complete and construction
of housing is scheduled to begin in early summer 2004.
Also in this newsletter:
- Works in Progress