'I've never seen this much snow': Yosemite closures start Friday and more are likely coming

Saleen Martin and Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY

SAN FRANCISCO – As the biggest snowpack on record starts to melt, rivers are rising and most of Yosemite Valley will close beginning Friday night due to flooding, the National Park Service announced this week.

The closures will begin at about 10 p.m. Friday and will last until Wednesday, May 3, or longer as employees brace for what's expected to be high levels of water in parts of the park.

Already sandbags have been put out around the Yosemite Visitors Center and are coming out and some meadows are pooling up, said park spokesman Scott Gediman.

"I've been in Yosemite for 27 years and I've never seen this much snow," he said.

Given the huge snowpack, it's possible that there will be additional flooding and closures into June and possibly July, he said.

An April 1 snow survey showed that Yosemite's snowpack is over 240% of its average, setting a record. Measuring above 8,000 feet, the snow is the deepest ever recorded, the park service said.

When the waters of the Merced River at Pohono Bridge reach 10 feet, they're considered at flood stage.

"At ten feet, you start to get some water on the roads. At ten and a half feet, you start getting water in the campgrounds and at the Ahwahnee," Gediman said. "Once we start getting to 11 feet, it's a no-go."

The river had reached eight feet Wednesday night.

"We’re looking at getting to flood stage up as high as 12 to 13 feet on Saturday," he said.

Officials will assess the situation on Monday and Tuesday to see if the park can safely reopen Wednesday.

Which parts of Yosemite are expected to close?

The park service said on Twitter that the closures include El Capitan crossover or the road that crosses the Merced River, east of El Capitan.

There will be no visitor access east of that road, the park service said.

Parking in western Yosemite Valley and throughout the park will be limited and visitors may not park off road, the park service said.

No services will be available in western Yosemite Valley.

"This is about health, life and safety," said Gediman.

Wawona, parts of Mariposa Grove, Crane Flat area, Hetch Hetchy and western Yosemite Valley will still be open.

How was the closure determined?

The National Park Service said Yosemite Valley closes once the Merced River at Pohono Bridge is expected to rise above 10 feet. The park service called the 10-foot threshold "flood stage."

Once the river exceeds 10 feet, roads and other infrastructure succumb to flooding, making the area unsafe for visitors.

"It is very likely that the Merced River will reach flood stage off and on from late April through early July," the park service wrote.

The park service said because of this, there should be no swimming, rafting and boating in the river. Picnic areas along the river may also close or have limited space.

Will reservations be refunded?

Those who have lodging or camping reservations during the closures will get a full refund.

Wilderness permits can be rescheduled to alternate trailheads, the park service said.

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Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757 – and loves all things horror, witches, Christmas, and food. Follow her on Twitter at @Saleen_Martin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Yosemite National Park open? Closures start Friday, more coming.

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