About
Merced River and the 1864 Yosemite Grant. From Yosemite Valley's granite walls to the Sierra foothills, the Merced River drops 81 miles through three distinct personalities. Above El Portal, Class I-II water drifts past El Capitan and Half Dome — a scenic float through Yosemite National Park that contrasts sharply with what follows downstream. The El Portal to Briceburg transition canyon ramps up to Class III-IV as the river cuts deeper into granite, while the Briceburg to Bagby section plunges through the Merced Gorge — Class IV-V expert-only water that commercial outfitters like Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions and ARTA River Trips guide for experienced paddlers. At 1,200 CFS average with an optimal range of 600–3,000, the Merced rewards spring snowmelt timing. Wild & Scenic designation in 1987 protected the gorge section from proposed dams, while the 2014 Yosemite Valley Plan focused on restoring natural floodplain processes in the upper reach. USGS gauge 11264500 tracks flows through Mariposa and Merced counties, though releases from upstream reservoirs complicate the hydrology.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.