According to the NPS website, Yosemite Valley is flooded as of May 16. I know the area had record snowfall last winter, but has flooding occured before? How long does it last, generally? I'm wondering where all the tourists end up. We'll be there in three weeks and hope conditions have improved by then.

If it's normal flooding, it might subside quickly or last into June with no long lasting effects on the infrastructure. If it is severe flooding as was the case in the late 90's, there could be damage to buildings, roads and bridges throughout the valley. Hardest hit back then was Yosemite Lodge area which I believe lost quite a few cabin rooms - I think they removed them permanently. Some Curry village sites were down for a while too.

Many will argue that the last flood did a lot to help cleanse the valley of many man made objects and restore the flood plain to it's natural state.

If you are staying at YL or CV, then check with the reservation co. If you are just visiting the valley, then get ready for some spectacular waterfalls. Flooding is part of nature and Yosemite is nature at its finest.

Yosemite National Park News Release

May 16, 2005
For Immediate Release

Yosemite Valley Experiencing High Water

Yosemite Valley temporarily closed

High water is causing flooding in some Yosemite Valley areas, including campgrounds, parking areas, some lodging facilities, and picnic areas. Larger than usual snowpack, warm weekend weather, and rain have all contributed to higher than usual water levels.

Safety concerns, including road flooding and possible infrastructure damage, have prompted Yosemite National Park officials to close Yosemite Valley temporarily to traffic. In addition, all East Valley campgrounds are closed until further notice.

Other areas in Yosemite National Park, including Wawona and areas off of Highway 120 west including Big Oak Flat and the Merced and Tuolomne Groves of Giant Sequoias will remain open until further notice. Glacier Point Road and Highway 120 East (Tioga Road) are still closed.

Visitors are advised to check weather and road conditions before coming to Yosemite National Park. Information can be obtained at 209/372-0200 or on the park website at www.nps.gov/yose. Visitors with lodging reservations should contact Delaware North Company, Inc., at 559/ 252-4848 to check on current conditions.

Oh, this is not good. We are visiting and staying in Yosemite the first full week of June. Things must be pretty bad if they have to close the valley.

With all the snow this year I was prepared to not make it to Tioga Pass, but potentially missing the valley is too much. I was already worried about UA going on strike and not being able to get to CA and now this. Well, Mrs. MileKing did want to spend more time in wine country so this may be her chance. Looks like I can cancel reservations at Yosemite up to 10 days prior. Maybe I need to start looking for additional lodging in Napa/Sonoma. Ugh!

My family had plans to camp in the valley this week, but we had to cancel due to a scheduling issue. I was really bummed about it. It looks like we wouldn't have been able to go anyway.

Wow just saw on the news how bad it is there. People in the valley now can not get out nor can anyone get in. At least the campers who lost their campsites were able to get rooms at eh lodge from those who can't get to the valley. Yosemite falls looked amazing and the Merced has completely taken over the place.

I think the last time this happened was either 1996 or 1997. Believe it took a couple of months before Yosemite was opened up again. Guess all the snow, plus rain etc. caused the problem. The Merced River is certainly overflowing. And I saw on TV for just a moment the waterfall. It was spectacular. Wonder how long it will be before visitors can return.

Wow, this is worrisome - I had no idea until I read this here. We are supposed to be in Yosemite from June 1 - 5, and I have been very excited about going there. I've never been there, but wanted to go for many years, and as we live in Massachusetts, this isn't someplace we have the opportunity to go to easily. We have reservations at the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal, and if we were to cancel we would have to do so by May 25. Does anyone know how long it is likely to be before the flooding recedes and the valley is reopened? Is it likely anyone will know by the 25th?

There are some neat pictures if you click on the link to the flooding story:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/

Just saw our local news. There are three factors causing the flooding. Above average snowfall this past winter, warm weather melting all that snow and it rained last night.

Sara, I would wait until May 25th before cancelling.

Utahtea

Hi everyone. Question, regarding those travellers that have reservations in Yosemite and have a deadline to cancel their reservations without any charges - if Yosemite is not open and travellers cannot get to their lodgings, would not their cancellation date be waived? It would not be the travellers fault if they cannot enter Yosemite. Does anyone know? I personally do not have reservations but am asking on behalf of those that do have reservations.

I'm gutted. We are meant to be there for a week from 3 June. I can only hope that some forecasted better weather allows the floods to subside a bit. I don't know what we are going to do if we have to cancel.

The way it's been going lately, I'm sure I be blamed for that,too.

While parts of the Valley are still closed today, highway 140 into the park is open today. The flooding is caused by faster than usual meltoff.

According to the NPS web site, Yosemite is open again as the flood waters have receded some. Not clear what is/is not open or damaged.

The river reached about 13 ft at Pohono Bridge at its peak yesterday or this morning and is now under 10 ft; flood stage is considered 10 ft. By comparison, during the 1996-97 flood the river reached 23.4 ft.

From the data I can see, no additional flooding is expected at this time, although that may be changed later this week with more snow melt and potential showers throughout the week.

It must have just opened because I had just checked the National Park website just a little while ago and it was still closed at that time.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/

Utahtea

Our reservations in the park were cancelled during the last flood a few years ago as the park was closed. We had no problems with cancellation fees. However, reservations outside of the park would be for privately owned accomodations whose cancellation policies might vary. Best to check directly.