Intense Rain, Snowmelt Make For Breathtaking Waterfalls In Yosemite

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (CBS/AP) -- Waterfalls in Yosemite National Park will likely reach peak flows between now and May.

Thunderstorms, showers and intense periods of rain on top of snow have unleashed snowmelt in Yosemite Valley.

High waters has closed the Merced River to rafting for a few days. At Pohono Bridge, which is west of Bridalveil Fall, the Merced hit nearly 8 feet at the gauge.

That is nearly three times the flow on April 1, though below flood stage at 10 feet, the newspaper reports.

Other waterfalls that are thundering include Yosemite Falls, Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. Others are near peak flow.

The April 1 snow survey measured the water content of the Merced Watershed at 91 percent of normal, and in the Tuolumne Watershed, 89 percent of normal.

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