Cook's Meadow Tour - Merced Wild and Scenic River

Yosemite Falls reflects in the Merced Wild and Scenic River.

Quick Facts

Amenities

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

You are facing east. In the meadow to the left of the trail is an old river channel where yellow water lilies grow in the summer months. Every spring during high water, the Merced River reclaims this channel and water flows across this trail. Early hotel owners sought to drain areas like this to reduce mosquito ponds and dry the meadows enough to plow for hay production.

The main Merced River channel is south of the trail. Its flow changes dramatically with the seasons. Runoff from melting snow is most volumninous in May. By August or September, Yosemite Falls is usually dry and the river flow is less than one percent of its spring maximum. Major floods occurred five times in the 20th century. Although flooding may be inconvenient for us, these waters are vitally important to meadows, wetlands, riparian zones, and river systems.

The Merced River Plan provides direction for the protection and enhancement of this Wild and Scenic River and all of its "Outstandingly Remarkable Values." Facilities will be removed from the floodplains where possible, and valuable natural habitat along the river will be restored. These include the immediate riparian areas - trees and shrubs along the riverbank - and meadow wetlands where the diversity of plants and animals is greatest. The river is the lifeblood of the Yosemite Valley ecosystem. This plan will ensure its health well into the future.

What would you hope people's experience of Yosemite to be like in the future?