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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Yosemite National ParkSnowy Half Dome
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Yosemite National Park
Floods of 1996 and 1997

Floods in Yosemite Valley aren't uncommon during spring runoff, when the Merced River swells with melted snow and overflows into meadows. The largest, least common floods occur during winter--most recently in January 1997. See what Yosemite Valley looked like during the floods of May 1996 and January 1997. (6 minutes)

You can also download a Quicktime version of this movie: [24 MB].

 
Merced River in Yosemite Valley  

Did You Know?
The Merced River was designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1987. Eighty-one miles of river runs through Yosemite National Park, including a stretch in Yosemite Valley.

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Last Updated: February 18, 2009 at 17:04 EST