Re: Swinging Bridge.....closed.

Wow. I've never seen it like this before. Pic and link by Jim Goldstein

http://jimgoldstein.tumblr.com/post/6588138808/swinging-bridge-is-officially-closed-as-of-this-am

Water seems to be going up about a foot a day since Monday. I have pictures from Tuesday morning where the water had just started to crest the metal under the bridge.

Wasn't it supposed to crest today?

Flood warning
Flood statement
National weather service san joaquin valley - hanford ca
906 am pdt thu jun 16 2011

...A flood warning continues for the merced river at pohono bridge
Until noon friday...

.Warm temperatures will continue to cause snowmelt today and the
Merced river at pohono bridge will reach flood stage again late tonight.

Forecasts are based on present and forecasted meteorological and
Hydrologic conditions at time of issuance.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Unlisted forecast points are expected to remain below monitor stage.
All those affected by river conditions should remain alert for rapid
Changes and for possible forecast revisions.

For more hydrologic information and stage definitions refer to the
Following web site (all lower case):
Http://www.Wrh.Noaa.Gov/hnx/hydro.Php


&&

Cac043-171806-
/o.Ext.Khnx.Fl.W.0002.000000t0000z-110618t0700z/
/pohc1.1.Er.110616t0610z.110616t1115z.110617t1300z.No/
906 am pdt thu jun 16 2011

The flood warning continues for
The merced river at pohono bridge.
* at 8:00 am thursday the stage was 10.2 feet.
* forecast to recede to 9.2 feet thursday afternoon then rise to 10.0 feet
Around 3 am friday.
* forecast to recede to near 9.0 ft friday evening then forecast to
Fluctuate near 9.5 ft thru saturday morning.
* flood stage 10.0 ft
* monitor stage msg ft,
* impact...Near 10.5 feet, water tops the swinging bridge downstream
From chapel meadow. Overflow from woski pond floods access
Road(northside drive) leading out of the west entrance of the park.
* impact...Near 10.0 feet, western portion of north pines
Campground...Located at the east end of yosemite valley between the
Confluence of the merced river and tenaya creek...Begins to flood.
Water rises to the base of the swinging bridge downstream from
Chapel meadow.

$$

Bean

Must be higher, We rode our bicycles over the bridge on monday, and tuesday. Wednesday you could get across the bridge, but the other side of the bridge towards el cap was flooded and not clear to travel on. Lots of water everywhere. I did not see any flooding in Lower Pines, like last year though.

We crossed it on Wednesday about 5pm. Wasn't flooded. The section on the north side was, and we waded up to our knees almost for probably 200 feet to get to the bus stop.

I guess the yellow tape meant it was "closed"?
Hmm...

Was nice to see it like this (i.e. no one on it):


Lots of nice reflections with all the water. You could see it was up a bit more though from when was
there Thursday morning. It was still a few inches up the I-beams.

---

dang. there goes my hopes for rafting in 2 weeks

Quote
ryanmj
dang. there goes my hopes for rafting in 2 weeks

Just be sure to duck REALLY low when you get to the bridge!

looks like going around it wont be a problem

Got up early to see the flooding Thursday morning...it was high but not higher than last year on the morning of June 7. (yeah, did the yellow tape mean that the bridge was closed??? [oops...ha] )

No rafters but saw a few swimmers. We were under water on the bike trail (above my knees) so couldn't see where they got out at swinging bridge. One guy was wearing a water polo helmet.

Lower Pines # 62 and # 63 were flooded along with a few campsites in North Pines.

Isn't the water a bit cold for swimming? Were the swimmers wearing wet suits?

Quote
plawrence
Isn't the water a bit cold for swimming? Were the swimmers wearing wet suits?

Nope...definately have a pic of bare arms and back

I heard they closed house keeping for the rest of June, they told me to be prepared to hear that it will be closed for the first weeks of July as well. Taking suggestions for back up plans in California if anyone has any.

Quote
ryanmj
I heard they closed house keeping for the rest of June

It sure looked open yesterday.

Quote
eeek

Quote
ryanmj
I heard they closed house keeping for the rest of June

It sure looked open yesterday.

I guess they only closed about 20 of the river units. The reservation company isnt located in the valley and apparently dont know what there talking about

Mon 20 Jun 2011 02:14:47 PM PDT


http://yosemitephotos.net/main.php/v/yosemite/four-mile-trail/sh-dsc_1725.jpg.html