Yosemite’s Merced River threatens to spill its banks

The river that flows through fabled Yosemite Valley is expected to overflow its banks during this weekend’s storms, rising even higher than it did during the devastating flood of 1997.

Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted that the Merced River would surge to a level of 23.7 feet, about a half a foot higher than it did 20 years ago when the river flooded a valley hotel and other facilities, causing an estimated $176 million damage.

YOSEMITE VALLEY: Merced River flood forecast The image below is a real-time updated chart using automated forecast data. This image reflects the best information available at the time this article was loaded in your browser.



MORE: Complete NOAA River Conditions

“Meadows turned into lakes, streams became rushing rivers and the Merced River spread in all directions. Yosemite Village's parking lot was flooded, cabins in low-lying areas were damaged, and a two-story building at Yosemite Lodge had to be evacuated,” said a Jan. 4, 1997 article in The Chronicle.

From January 1st to 3rd, 1997, the Merced River overflowed its banks, severing Highway 140 in several locations and damaging many of the cabins and campgrounds of Yosemite National Park. From January 1st to 3rd, 1997, the Merced River overflowed its banks, severing Highway 140 in several locations and damaging many of the cabins and campgrounds of Yosemite National Park. Photo: National Parks Service Photo: National Parks Service Image 1 of / 43 Caption Close Yosemite’s Merced River threatens to spill its banks 1 / 43 Back to Gallery

Park officials said they were developing plans to keep visitors safe. A spokeswoman said the park had “a team of park personnel, law enforcement, and emergency responders looking at the situation.”

A big storm off the coast is expected to arrive in California this weekend, causing severe flooding and washing away much of the Sierra snowpack that provides water for drinking and agriculture. Forecasters were predicted the most significant flooding in years.

Evan Sernoffsky and Steve Rubenstein are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle and srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky @SteveRubeSF