Re: Waterfalls, Peak Levels?

Any guesses on the peak waterfalls level this year, and when will they stop?

You should go soon. My guess is the waterfalls will last until late June, early July. The peak is usually late May, or early June.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/2012 05:15PM by DanPJ.

Quote
GreatRafter
Any guesses on the peak waterfalls level this year, and when will they stop?

Last year (which was an unusual year) the Merced in the Valley peaked on June 16, with 6/23 being a close 2nd. However it should be earlier this year (my guess). Here's a site that may be somewhat helpful:

http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=hnx&gage=pohc1&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1

Never knew about that site. Good to know.

On April 26th the Merced River peaked at about 8.1' at the Pohono Bridge. Right now it's running less than 6'. That may have been the peak. I watch this site:

http://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=POHC1

Enter April 26 to see the historical graph.

Quote
Calaveras
On April 26th the Merced River peaked at about 8.1' at the Pohono Bridge. Right now it's running less than 6'. That may have been the peak. I watch this site:

http://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=POHC1

Enter April 26 to see the historical graph.

Yup, that was the peak, so far. What a difference from last year!

Normally peak is late May, but it differs depending on which Falls also. I'd bet that Yosemite Falls will be pretty low by late June/ early July this year.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm

From todays park report:

May Snow Survey Results
Park rangers have completed the May 1 snow surveys. The water content of the snowpack is 26% of average for the Tuolumne drainage and 36% of average for the Merced drainage. (M. Fincher)

This could be a very short waterfall season and the falls won't be very spectacular.

The flip side of this is earlier snow-free access to the high country and an earlier end to the mosquitos. I'll bet there are plenty of people here waiting for this.

I was in the Park late April. The Dewey/South-Rim plan was altered into a waterfalls-focused trip instead. Spent nearly an entire afternoon Sierra Point. Had it all to ourselves (usual hiking party of two). For Illilouette, that's the most I've ever seen it flowing. Other waterfalls were thundering too. Maybe they're even better now, but the trade-off for that day: nearly nobody was there for GP and Washburn.

Could see the power of Snow Creek and Pywiack from Washburn. I agree - the falls probably won't last too long this year. I'd say get there by mid-June to be safe. Not much snow this year, and the weather is pretty warm. I might go in a couple of weeks for some comparison, and hopefully have fun in Pohono area.

FYI: mid-July last year, there was still tons of snow on Hoffmann, a decent indicator for waterfall flow. YF was still going strong in Aug/Sep, highly unusual. Typically it's dried up by July. This year, might be even earlier.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2012 03:45PM by Ohnivy-Drak.

Here are some "reference" pictures taken 4th of July, 2011:


Illilouette Falls - shot taken near Washburn Point


Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall

Although it was late in the season I never had seen Illilouette Falls booming like this (it's not a very good photo because it was taken in broad daylight with a 200mm lens).
I doubt the falls will look anything like this in approx. 2 month.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2012 02:47PM by Half Dome Hiker.

Thanks for the photos, they are great. For Illilouette, that's roughly how I remember it looking through my binocs, from my recent trip. I love the top of IF. But for Vernal/Nevada, July 2011 > late April 2012. Mist Trail wasn't misty at all.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2012 03:56PM by Ohnivy-Drak.

Wondeful photos, thanks for sharing :-). Anyone have waterfall pictures from 2012?

Thanks for the nice comments. Too bad Tioga Road was still closed 2 weeks ago - otherwise I would have taken pics.

Here's a close-up of Vernal Fall taken July 4, 2011. The water was really raging and this was a couple of weeks after peak!


Vernal Fall as seen from Glacier Point

Last year was a great rainyear, that site is amazing.

Quote
DanPJ
Last year was a great rainyear, that site is amazing.

With all that water, it took months to find the bodies too.

I just got back from 3 days in the valley. Looks like Yosemite Falls is at it's peak right now.Hiked out to the top of Sentinel Dome and it looks like the drainage (Mt Hoffman area) to Yosemite Creek is a little thin on snow. The Merced seemed a bit low for this time of year. Dogwoods seemed to have bloomed early this year.

Def. being a stickler here... but I don't think that you can REALLY see the drainage of Yosemite Creek
from Sentinel Dome. Everything you see of Hoffmann (2 n's) area drains to Hoffmann Creek and
Snow Creek. At least I'm fairly sure of that. I don't contend that if there is no snow on Hoffmann
then the other side which drains into Yose Creek will be getting "thin" too.
If you don't care... sorry... but perhaps it is interesting. (it is to me)

---

I'm very tall.

Quote
ERICG
I'm very tall.

---

I think the waterfalls have peaked.

Think the Yosemite falls will be dried up by the last week of June? Ill be there June 25-30. I saw more water on April fools day, then there is today.

Quote
cantwait2getback
Think the Yosemite falls will be dried up by the last week of June? Ill be there June 25-30. I saw more water on April fools day, then there is today.

I think it is very possible. However, it might last till sometime in July. From the webcam, it looks like it typically does in late July right now, so I guess it is about a month ahead.

I wonder what the rain is like in the valley today. Every little bit helps. I hope it works out for ya.

No storm this time of the year is going to have any lasting affect on creek/river levels. It's too warm. The Merced River is forecast to rise 1.5 feet by Tuesday (6/5) morning and then return to current levels within 2 days.