Merced River
★ Wild & Scenic🏞 National Park
Mariposa / Merced Co. · 81 mi · Class II–V
737CFS/ 50.12 ft
Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 600–3000 CFS · USGS #11274000
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
National Wild & Scenic River (1987) · Yosemite National Park (upper reach)
Flows from the Sierra Nevada through Yosemite National Park and the spectacular Merced River Canyon — one of the most scenic river corridors in California. The iconic Class IV–V Merced Gorge between Briceburg and Bagby delivers technical Sierra granite whitewater. The Yosemite Valley section flows past El Capitan and Half Dome. National Wild & Scenic River since 1987.
Trip sections
Yosemite Valley — Class I–II, past El Capitan and Half Dome
El Portal to Briceburg — Class III–IV, transition canyon
Briceburg to Bagby — Class IV–V, Merced Gorge, expert only
Outfitters
Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions
Merced River gorge raft and kayak trips
ARTA River Trips
Merced River guided trips
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.