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Yosemite National Park commissioned several 2010 research projects into facets of the Merced River's natural or cultural history. This research was intended to augment the park's existing knowledge base of the current conditions of the Merced Wild andScenic River as well as its condition at the time of designation in 1987. Yosemite staff completed these projects with assistance from National Park Service contractors, university professors, and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel. The results of this research, combined with existing resources knowledge, has assisted park managers in assessing the condition of the river's water quality, free-flowing condition, and outstandingly remarkable values (those values thatmerit the river's designation as "wild and scenic," pursuant to the Wild andScenic Rivers Act).

The condition assessment has been an iterative and ongoing process that is a critical part ofthe foundational framework of the Merced River Plan. Management actions proposed in the Merced River Plan will address management concerns brought forward as a result of the condition assessment. These river-related research studies, along with public comment, are being used to update the Merced Wild and Scenic River Values Draft Baseline Conditions Report [14.5 MB PDF], published in April 2011. Publication of the revised baseline conditions report is anticipated in summer 2012. This report will also be included as an appendix in the Merced Wild and Scenic River Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement, due for release in fall 2012.

 

				Yosemite Valley Groundwater Assessment [2.1 MB PDF draft report undergoing additional peer review]
				Wildlife Special Status Species [4.7 MB PDF draft report undergoing additional peer review]
				El Portal Historic Resources Survey [15 MB PDF draft report undergoing additional peer review]
				Special Status Plant Species Survey [11.5 MB PDF draft report undergoing additional peer review]
				Meadow Conditions Assessment [12.7 MB PDF draft report undergoing additional peer review]
				Informal Trail Monitoring [2.9 MB PDF draft report undergoing additional peer review]
Merced River Research				Floodplain Modeling: Mapping of Merced River [8.5 MB PDF draft report undergoing additional peer review] with El Portal Maps [17.5 MB] and Wawona Maps [24.1 MB]
				Instream Flow Requirements on the South Fork (link to abstract with full report available for purchase from publisher)
				Merced River Visitor Experience Survey [108 kb PDF abstract attached with full report to come summer 2012]
				Hydraulic and Geomorphic Assessment of the Merced River [5 kb PDF abstract attached with full report to come summer 2012]
				Merced River and Riparian Vegetation Assessment [96 kb PDF summary attached with full report to come summer 2012)
				Geologic Hazard & Risk Assessment in Yosemite Valley (full report to come summer 2012)

 

Yosemite's resource specialists have gained updated understanding on several additional topics. In terms of cultural resources, the park has completed an archeological ORV condition assessment and an archeological site-stock use impact report. Due to sensitive information contained within those reports, neither will be released. The rapid ethnographic assessment was not funded.