Dave's Sierra Fishing

Yosemite National Park

2012 Merced River Flow Level Chart and
Tuolumne Meadows Snow Depth Graph

Current River and Snow Conditions in Yosemite

Chart showing the flow level of the Merced River in 2012

Historical Data from the Merced River

Since Yosemite is in the central Sierra, the fluctuations of the Merced River serve as a good barometer of the snow melt and river flows for the western slope of the Sierra Nevada.
The graph above shows the mean daily flow of the Merced River in cubic feet per second (CFS).
Typically May has the heaviest flow with levels dropping off rapidly in June. Levels of 2000 - 3000 cfs are common for the Merced River in May. Flood stage is 10 feet, about 5500 cfs.
The record for the Merced River was the great Yosemite Valley flood of January 1997: 24,600 cfs, 23 feet.
Other recent high levels of the Merced River include the flood of May 16, 2005 when the river reached 8105 cfs and May 25, 2003 when it hit 4756 cfs.

Chart showing snow levels in Tuolumne Meadows in 2012

Historical Data on Snow Levels at Tuolumne Meadows

Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows , elevation of 8600 feet, offers a good measure of the depth of the snow pack throughout the western slope of the high Sierra. Snow depth in May at Tuolumne Meadows can range anywhere from none to 8 feet or more, depending on the snowfall for the year, spring temperatures, and spring rainfall.

Mid-winter snow depths at Tuolumne Meadows occasionally reach 10 feet, although 6 to 8 feet are more typical. The greatest snow depths recorded at Tuolumne Meadows in the past 50 years include 1969 (10.4 feet), 1983 (11.6 feet), 1998 (8.9 feet) and 2007 (8.8 feet). In his book Extreme Weather: A Guide and Record Book, Christopher C. Burt reports the all-time record for Tuolumne Meadows the winter of 1911 when 390" of snow fell, resulting in a snow depth in March of an hard-to-believe 37.5 feet.

By May snow levels usually are below 4 feet. The Tioga Pass road is usually open by Memorial Day weekend. Tuolumne Meadows is often snow free by June. Check back here in a few days for updates on the snow depth.

Past Winter Closure and Spring Opening Dates for
Tioga Pass

Winter	Tioga Pass Closed	Tioga Pass Opened
2004-05	October 17	June 24
2005-06	November 25	June 17
2006-07	November 26	May 11
2007-08	December 6	May 21
2008-09	October 30	May 19
2010-11	November 19	June 18
2011-12	January 17, 2012	May 7

Books to Read While You're Waiting to Set Out on That Next Fishing Trip

Yosemite National Park Recreation Map, Tom Harrison. Harrison's maps are considered the best available for detailed coverage of the High Sierra. This Yosemite high country map shows all the trails and all the lakes and streams.
Yosemite Trout Fishing Guide, Steve Beck. Complete information about fishing all parts of Yosemite from the lower Merced River to the Lyell Fork. Suggestions for which flies to use, when the hatches usually occur, and stories about early fishing in Yosemite.
Extreme Weather: A Guide and Record Book, Christopher C. Burt. The ultimate weather book for the weather enthusiast or anyone interested in the oddities and extremes of nature.
Trout Flies for Rivers: Patterns from the West that Work Everywhere, Carol Ann and Skip Morris. (2009) Filled with both hot new flies and proven, reliable standards plus tips on how, where, and when to fish these patterns. Step-by-step instructions for tying the most effective trout flies for rivers across North America. Includes DVD.

For a Complete Selection of Great Sierra Fishing Books,

Maps, and Gear Be Sure to Visit

Dave's Sierra Fishing Store