2026-03-05T18:00:00-07:00
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 241, 246 and 247. * TIMING...From noon to 6 PM MST Thursday. * WINDS...South 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.
Summary
Total streamflow across the
Merced River
was last observed at
1,564
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
3,102
acre-ft of water today; about 183%
of normal.
River levels are high.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
855 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2023-05-22 when daily discharge volume was observed at
14,180 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Merced R A Pohono Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca
reporting a streamflow rate of 1,070 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Merced River, with a gauge stage of
4.51 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Merced River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 4,029 ft, the
Merced R A Happy Isles Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca.
15-Day Weather Outlook
River Details
| Last Updated | 2026-03-04 |
| Discharge Volume | 3,102 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
1,564.0 cfs
-121.0 cfs (-7.18%) |
| Percent of Normal | 182.85% |
| Maximum |
14,180.0 cfs
2023-05-22 |
| Seasonal Avg | cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Merced R A Happy Isles Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca
USGS 11264500 |
494 cfs | 3.35 ft | -7.66 | |||||
|
Merced R A Pohono Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca
USGS 11266500 |
1070 cfs | 4.51 ft | -6.96 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The river starts in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and flows into the San Joaquin Valley. The river has played an essential role in the history of the area, with Native American tribes using it for fishing and transportation. The river has also been dammed to provide hydroelectric power and water for agriculture. The New Exchequer Dam forms Lake McClure and the New Don Pedro Dam creates Lake Don Pedro, which are both important reservoirs on the river. Recreational activities such as fishing, rafting, and camping are popular along the river, particularly in the Yosemite Valley. The river also supports agricultural uses, with irrigation from the river water used to grow crops including almonds, grapes, and walnuts.