Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

APPENDIX E 

PROPOSED RESTORATION ACTIONS 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-1 

APPENDIX E 

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION ACTIONS WITHIN THE 

MERCED RIVER WILD AND SCENIC RIVER CORRIDOR 

INTRODUCTION 

This report presents an ecological restoration plan to support the Merced Wild and Scenic River 

Comprehensive Management Plan (Merced River Plan). It provides a description of sites 

recommended for ecological restoration. The following restoration actions protect and enhance the 

biological, hydrologic/geologic and cultural Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs) as well as freeflowing condition and water quality, collectively referred to as River Values in the Merced River Plan. 

The Scenic ORVs are addressed in a separate appendix on scenic vista management actions (Appendix 

I). A detailed map series showing the locations and types of restoration actions proposed follows this 

Proposed Restoration Actions Appendix. Chapter 5 of the Merced River Plan describes these River 

Values and provides background information pertaining to the justification for the work described in 

this appendix. 

The Biological ORV actions cover meadow and riparian habitat. These habitats are sites of exceptional 

ecological importance and occupy the ecotone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (Mitsch and 

Gosselink 2007). These habitats are integral to a healthy riverine ecosystem and are connected to the 

river through the active floodplain. When the floodplain becomes inundated during spring snow melt, 

soils become saturated, nutrients are redistributed and wetland and riparian plants adapted to this 

dynamic environment thrive. The wide range of hydrologic conditions in this zone leads to diverse 

plant communities that provide food and shelter for wildlife along the river. Although riparian and 

meadow ecosystems occupy relatively little land area in Yosemite National Park, they comprise the 

most biologically diverse areas and are priorities for ecological restoration (Hall 1997). While highly 

productive and diverse, riparian and aquatic systems (including meadows) are the most impacted areas 

in the Sierra Nevada (SNEP 1996) and declining spatial extent and condition of riparian and wet 

meadow ecosystems is occurring throughout California at an alarming rate (SNEP 1996). 

The Hydrologic/Geologic ORV actions describe ways of protecting and enhancing the meandering 

alluvial river system. Due to systematic removal of large wood from the channel, loss of riparian 

vegetation and subsequent bank erosion caused by visitor use, portions of the Merced River channel 

lack complexity and have become wider and shallower than would naturally occur in an alluvial 

system. This alters the connectivity of the river to the floodplain, sediment transport dynamics and the 

meadows and riparian communities that occupy these areas. The actions in this plan call for the 

restoration of the integral large wood component of the alluvial system, and for comprehensive 

riverbank restoration. 

The free-flowing condition actions describe the removal of impediments to free-flow such as, riprap, 

revetment, bridges and other infrastructure within the bed and banks of the Merced River, as well as 

the associated revegetation work. Impediments to free-flow may not always be removed, because they 
APPENDIX E 

E-2 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

are necessary to protect important infrastructure. In such instances, this appendix outlines a strategy 

for improving the river channel complexity surrounding these impediments. 

The water quality actions describe ways to reduce the amount of sediment and chemicals potentially 

reaching the river. While water quality is considered excellent in Yosemite‘s portion of the Merced 

River, protective measures would only enhance the Park‘s ability to maintain this high standard of 

quality. Protective measures may include reducing the amount of sediment that enters the river from 

erosion stemming from formal and informal trails and campsites, and removing parking in close 

proximity to the river. 

The Cultural ORV actions include actions to protect and enhance both cultural and ethnographic 

resources. While seemingly natural to most, the landscape of Yosemite Valley is shaped by both natural 

and cultural processes. Many of the meadow and riparian species comprising the ethnographic resources 

are important in the history and ongoing cultural traditions of traditionally associated American Indian 

tribes and groups. While natural hydrologic processes have shaped the meadow complexes of the 

Merced River, cultural processes including American Indian burning to promote hunting and gathering 

have shaped the plant communities. Vista clearing to maintain views of Yosemite‘s iconic scenery of 

Yosemite Valley have contributed to the landscape as well. The International Primer on Ecological 

Restoration (SER 2004) acknowledges the conundrum that can take place on a landscape where natural 

and cultural processes have shaped the landscape, stating that – “...cultural landscapes or ecosystems 

have developed under the joint influence of natural processes and human-imposed organization.” These 

systems are interconnected and interrelated. Therefore, a suite of interconnected actions that address 

both ecological and cultural landscape processes are presented in this appendix. 

This restoration plan also addresses actions to protect archeological sites, some of the many types of 

important tangible resources reflecting thousands of years of cultural connections to the Merced River 

landscape. Archeological resources are non-renewable, and once they are gone, they are lost forever. 

While they cannot be restored, they can often be protected and their condition stabilized through 

certain management actions, such as removing informal and formal trails, campsites, rock rings and 

graffiti from within the site boundary. Through these means, the interconnected landscape of cultural 

and natural resources can continue to form touchstones for place-based human history. 

The Need for Ecological Restoration 

The actions described in this plan are, at times, difficult to tease apart with regards to which river value 

they protect and enhance. For example, removal of riprap and subsequent revegetation would benefit 

free-flowing condition, water quality, biological, hydrologic/geologic and cultural river values. As 

described above, both natural and cultural resources are integral to the ecosystem processes that now 

exist on the landscape. This appendix uses the term ecological restoration to describe actions that 

protect and enhance river values. 

Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, 

damaged or destroyed is an intentional activity that initiates or accelerates the recovery of an 

ecosystem with respect to its health, integrity and sustainability (SER 2004). The overarching goal of 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-3 

ecological restoration is not to return to a particular point in time but rather to restore ecosystem 

processes, structure, and composition (Falk et al. 2006). 

This plan identifies ecological restoration actions that involve restoring hydrological processes and the 

reintroduction of fire back into the ecosystem, where possible (Madej et al. 1991, Cooper and Wolf 

2008). In the river corridor, particularly in Yosemite Valley, the need for ecological restoration is 

apparent due to impacts to meadow function (fragmentation, trampling, and conifer encroachment), 

decreased meadow size, reduction in the health of California black oak communities, and loss of 

riparian habitat due to disruptions in both hydrological processes and cultural processes such as the 

cessation of burning by American Indians. These natural and cultural processes have been hindered by 

water diversions (such as ditches), channelization (bridges and riprap), road and bridge building, 

roadside parking, removal of large wood from the river channel, trampling of riverbanks and 

meadows, introduction of invasive plants and limited opportunities to reintroduce fire on the 

landscape. These actions have led to changes in hydrologic regime, channelization, river widening, 

decreased vegetation structural complexity and diversity, a reduction in the extent of meadows, and 

reduction in habitat quality. 

This plan identifies both passive and active ecological restoration actions to restore these natural and 

cultural processes. Passive restoration actions include fencing and signing sensitive areas. They are 

intended to halt human impacts and allow natural processes to repair damage. Active restoration 

actions include brush layering, revegetation, prescribed burning, removal of abandoned infrastructure, 

placement of large woody debris, road removal, and removal of formal and informal trails in sensitive 

areas. These actions are intended to stabilize riverbanks, accelerate ecosystem recovery and promote 

diversity of meadow and riparian habitats, the health of ethnographic resources, and reduction in 

conifer encroachment in meadows. 

OVERARCHING GOAL 

Promote the ability of the Merced River to shape the landscape by reducing impediments to free flow, 

improving geologic/hydrologic processes, restoring floodplains and meadows, and protecting water 

quality. 

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION GOALS 

Ecological restoration addresses the National Park Service mission to allow natural processes to 

prevail, as well as protecting scenery and historic resources; it also addresses the goals of the Wild and 

Scenic Rivers Act by enhancing river free-flow, water quality and physical and ecological outstandingly 

remarkable values. Ecological restoration actions in riparian, riverine, and meadow habitats enhance 

the open, scenic quality which provides a sense of place for reflection and inspiration. 

In addition to the overarching goal noted above, the following are specific goals of this restoration 

plan: 
APPENDIX E 

E-4 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

 Restore hydrologic function and connectivity with the floodplain including meadow and 

wetland habitats. 

 Restore overbank flooding frequency by narrowing widened channels 

 Repair eroded riverbanks, restore riparian plant communities and prevent further humancaused, erosion-induced widening. 

 Improve hydrologic conditions at severely restricted bridges 

 Increase channel complexity by increasing the amount of large wood in the river channel 

 Restore and protect the ecological processes that support riparian and meadow communities 

including naturally high groundwater levels and sheet flow. 

 Remove impediments to natural hydrology including ditches, berms, and abandoned 

roadbeds in order to protect and maintain native plant communities. 

 Restore and maintain the function, structure, diversity and productivity of native riparian and 

meadow plant communities to protect species diversity, ethnobotanical resources and wildlife 

habitat. 

 Protect and enhance the scenic values of meadows and riparian areas, while improving visitor 

experience 

 Protect archeological resources 

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION ACTIONS COMMON TO ALTERNATIVES 2-6 

(“ACTION ALTERNATIVES”) 

Multiple actions would be taken across all alternatives to restore, protect and enhance hydrologic and 

ecological processes, free-flowing condition, water quality, and meadows and riparian habitat. A 

150 foot riparian buffer, measured from the ordinary high water mark, would be protected and 

enhanced, corridorwide. This riparian buffer will filter runoff and provide a transition zone between 

the river and human land use. This riparian buffer will reduce the magnitude and velocity of overland 

flow, trap sediment, and attenuate compounds such as nitrogen and phosphorous and pathogens. It 

will help to stabilize riverbanks through provision of root cohesion on banks and floodplains, reduce 

erosion, and allow surface water to infiltrate the soil. The riparian buffer vegetation will provide a 

source of large wood to the river and adjacent floodplain, which will dissipate river flow energy and 

regulate channel form. In terms of habitat, the riparian buffer will enhance important habitat for 

wildlife by allowing establishment of new vegetation and persistence of a complex habitat structure. 

The buffer will also protect aquatic ecosystems by providing organic nutrients, by supplying woody 

debris that will improve habitat complexity, and by moderating water temperatures by vegetative 

shading of the river. This riparian buffer will protect and enhance river values, and function as a 

setback for all future development in the corridor. 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-5 

Throughout the corridor, eroded riverbanks would be repaired through restoration and vulnerable 

riverbanks and riparian vegetation would be protected from trampling. Visitors would be directed to 

use resilient riverbanks such as low-angle sandbar beaches. The majority of riprap in Yosemite Valley 

would be removed to enhance free-flowing condition, natural hydrologic processes and to improve 

riparian habitat. The large wood management policy would be enforced and large wood would be left 

in the channel or incorporated into riverbanks as part of restoration to increase channel complexity 

and improve aquatic habitat. Please refer to Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Management of 

Fallen Trees in the Merced River in Yosemite Valley, NPS, 2012, for additional detail. 

Prescribed burning, conifer seedling removal and invasive plant removal are on-going activities 

occurring in the corridor that have already been analyzed in other planning documents. Prescribed 

burning for resource benefits would follow the Fire Management Plan. Prioritization of units to be 

burned would be developed using an interdisciplinary approach that addresses not only ecological 

restoration, but also ethnographic resource restoration or protection. Invasive plant removal would 

follow the guidelines of the Invasive Plant Management Plan. 

In all alternatives, ditches in meadows would be filled, six miles of informal trails in meadows and 

riparian areas would be removed, and abandoned underground infrastructure would be removed. 

Roadside parking along meadows and associated fill material would be removed to restore meadow 

area and protect meadows from informal trailing. All action alternatives return ecological and cultural 

processes—hydrology and fire—to restore meadows and oak woodlands from currently coniferdominated portions of the landscape. To improve riverbank condition, river channel restoration 

would occur in the reach between Clark’s and Sentinel bridges, including placement of constructed log 

jams (CLJs), closure of sensitive riverbanks, and brush layering. The portion of Lower Pines 

campground that was damaged by the 1997 flood and subsequently removed would be restored to a 

mosaic of riparian, meadow and oak communities which would enhance riparian and floodplain 

habitat. To protect water quality and improve riparian habitat, the pack stock trail between the stables 

and Happy Isles road bridge would be removed and the riparian zone and restored to natural 

conditions. In all alternatives, campsites within 100 feet of the ordinary high water mark would be 

removed to protect and enhance riverbanks and the riparian zone. 

Best management practices and mitigations to protect and enhance river values would be common to 

all alternatives (Appendix D). Restoration actions that address riprap, informal trails, ditching, and 

abandoned infrastructure would also be common to all alternatives. Some actions to address free 

flowing conditions and hydrologic processes that are common to all include large wood management, 

placement of constructed log jams, and other actions to restore eroded riverbanks and provide 

appropriate river access. Recreational river activity would be directed to designated river access points 

and all new development would be located at least 150 feet from the ordinary high water mark. The 

NPS would eliminate unnecessary development and limit the extend of new development in the river 

corridor, preserve viewpoints and scenic vistas along roadways and trails, and manage vegetation so 

that it does not interfere with the visitor’s visual experience. 

Cultural resources such as archeological sites are non-renewable therefore impacts can result in 

irretrievable loss. For this reason, most actions to protect and enhance archeological resources in the 

action alternatives of this plan do not have a range across the alternatives. 
APPENDIX E 

E-6 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

All Wild and Scenic River Segments 

Riparian Buffer (RES-AS-005) – Protect the riparian zone from new development within 150feet of 

the ordinary high water mark. Relocate or remove all campsites at least 100 feet away from the 

ordinary high water mark. The riparian buffer will protect water quality, hydrological processes, 

aquatic ecosystems, and riparian vegetation. 

Abandoned Infrastructure (RES-AS-001) – In situations where abandoned underground 

infrastructure alters hydrology, develop case-by-case treatment strategies that ameliorate the ongoing 

impacts to hydrologic processes. This infrastructure includes remnants of abandoned sewer treatment 

facilities, sewer and water lines, and manholes. Treatment would be designed to avoid impacts to 

sensitive resources (including archeological sites) and may include removal, collapsing in place, 

plugging, or other measures. See map series at the end of this Proposed Restoration Actions Appendix, 

for known locations. Where infrastructure would be removed or relocated and restored to natural 

conditions, soils would be decompacted and recontoured, and the area revegetated with appropriate 

native plants. 

Informal Trails (RES-AS-002) – Six miles of informal trailing through meadows would be removed 

and restored to natural conditions. Fencing and signage would direct visitors to less sensitive areas that 

can accommodate some use without compromising meadow health. Define and delineate accepted 

trails with closure signs, fencing, and/or other natural barriers such as rocks and logs. Remove 

informal trails by decompacting soils and filling ruts with native soils. Revegetate areas of denuded 

vegetation with appropriate native plants. 

Conifer Encroachment (RES-AS-003) – Manually or mechanically remove conifer seedlings and 

saplings from meadows and under oaks with loppers, handsaws, or mowers. 

Restore eroded riverbanks (RES-AS-004) – Revegetate areas devoid of vegetation with appropriate 

native plants. Protect re-vegetated areas using closure signs, fencing, and/or other natural barriers such 

as rocks and logs as deterrents. Stabilize eroded riverbanks using bio-engineering techniques such as 

brush layering of willow cuttings. 

Vulnerable riverbanks (RES-AS-006) – Direct visitor use along the river to stable and resilient access 

points such as sandy beaches and low-angle slopes through delineated trails, signs, campground maps 

and brochures; establish fencing and signage to protect sensitive areas. Areas susceptible to erosion—

steep riverbanks, and high use areas exhibiting vegetation and soil loss from compaction—would be 

closed and restored using bioengineering and revegetation techniques. 

Bridges and associated revetments (RES-AS-008) – Install constructed log jams, and utilize 

bioengineered stabilization on riprap to improve hydrologic function, reduce bank erosion, and 

improve riverine habitat. Strategically placed log jams diffuse and direct high velocity flows, a property 

that makes them a valuable tool to mitigate altered flow regimes around bridges. Log jams, unlike 

traditional rock revetment reintroduces habitat complexity within the channel by creating additional 

bars and scour holes, and by providing cover for aquatic organisms When used in conjunction with a 

wood retention policy and riverbank revegetation, log jams form part of a comprehensive restoration 

and mitigation strategy designed to improve the hydrologic function of the Merced River. 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-7 

Revetments (RES-AS-009) – Remove riprap where possible to restore natural river processes. Replace 

riprap with native riparian vegetation, using bioengineering techniques if riverbank stabilization is still 

necessary for infrastructure protection. 

Large wood (RES-AS-010) – Manage large wood according to a management policy, Standard 

Operating Procedure (SOP): Management of Fallen Trees in the Merced River in Yosemite Valley, NPS, 

2012, leaving large wood that does not compromise visitor safety or infrastructure. Incorporate large 

wood into riverbanks to provide structure for highly eroded riverbanks and increase habitat quality. In 

developed areas where standing hazard trees must be removed for safety, rather than cutting and 

removing these trees, fall them into the river. Add engineered log jams in severely widened river reaches. 

Trails through sensitive habitat (NO CODE) – Re-route trails out of sensitive habitats or install 

boardwalks through wetlands. New trail routes should avoid wetlands and special status habitat. 

Segment 1 

Special status plants: trail impacts (RES-1-004) – Relocate sections of trail through wetlands in Echo 

Valley and mineral spring outflow between Merced Lake and Washburn Lake to less sensitive areas. 

Re-surface the wet sections of the Mist trail to avoid trail widening. Prevent trail creep along the John 

Muir Trail using fencing and boardwalks. Hand tools will be used by trail and restoration crews during 

the late summer and fall and work will occur for up to eight weeks. 

Triple Peak Fork: braided trail through meadows (RES-1-005) – Reroute the trail to upland area 

where possible Hand tools will be used by trail and restoration crews during the late summer and fall 

and work will occur for up to eight weeks. 

Merced Lake Shore Meadow: informal trails (RES-1-003) – Remove informal trails, decompact soils, 

fill ruts with native soils, and revegetate denuded areas with native plants Hand tools will be used by trail 

and restoration crews during the late summer and fall and work will occur for up to eight weeks. 

Segment 2 

Ditching in Meadows (RES-2-001) – Fill 2,155 ' of ditches not serving current operational needs 

using adjacent berm material or pond and plug techniques. (see Map Series for precise locations). A 

mini excavator, skid steer, dozer, dump truck, and loader would be used when water table is low, in 

the fall season. Work would last up to 8 weeks. 

Road improvements over meadows (RES-2-017) – Mitigate effects of roads on meadow hydrology 

with culverts or other engineered solutions that allow unimpeded groundwater flow. Use wide box 

culverts or other design components such as rolling dips, permeable subgrade, etc. to improve surface 

water flow. Examples include Southside Drive through Sentinel Meadow and Northside Drive 

through Cook‘s and El Capitan Meadows. Work would occur any time after peak flow when the area is 

not flooded. Heavy equipment including a skid steer, excavator, loader, and dump truck and would 

take an estimated 6 weeks. 
APPENDIX E 

E-8 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

Informal trails (RES-2-012): Remove and restore six miles of informal trailing through meadows to 

natural conditions (Figure 1; map series). Use fencing and signage to direct traffic to less sensitive areas 

that can accommodate some use without compromising meadow health. Define and delineate 

accepted trails with closure signs, fencing, and/or other natural barriers such as rocks and logs. 

Remove informal trails by decompacting soils and filling ruts with native soils. Revegetate areas of 

denuded vegetation with appropriate native plants. Work would occur for up to 6 weeks in the 

summer and fall. 

Figure 1: The park has successfully removed networks of informal trailing in meadows. In this 

example before (left) and after (right) restoration of Stoneman Meadow, high visitor use was 

mitigated by adding fencing to direct people to a new boardwalk, which allowed access to the 

meadow without the associated impacts. 

Valley Meadows: Conifer Encroachment, loss of meadow extent (RES-2-002) – Improve condition 

of plant communities at specific locations in Yosemite Valley (targeted 67 potential acres) by restoring 

the mosaic of meadow, riparian deciduous vegetation, black oak, and open mixed conifer forest. 

Management actions may include re-vegetation, prescribed fire, mechanical removal of conifers, and 

re-design of infrastructure. These actions will enhance scenic vistas and maintain the cultural 

landscape, as well as enhance the condition of the Merced River ecosystem by sustaining the diverse 

mosaic of interconnected plant communities. 

Revetments (RES-AS-007) – Under all alternatives, 3,400 feet of riprap would be removed and 

revegetated with riparian species where needed. An additional 2,300 feet would be removed but 

replaced with bioengineered riverbank stabilization (see map series for precise locations). Work would 

occur in late summer or fall during low flow. Heavy equipment including a skid steer, excavator, 

loader, and dump truck and would take an estimated 16 weeks. 

Leidig Meadow: Bike Path (RES-2-015) – Replace a 1,000 foot section of paved trail that passes 

through the ordinary high water mark. Heavy equipment (excavator, skid steer, loader, dump truck) 

would remove asphalt path, fill material, and any plant salvage needed. Work would be done in late 

summer or fall for approximately six weeks. 

Valley Loop Trail: delineation and river access (RES-2-029) – Reconstruct trail and designate river 

access, such as at Housekeeping Camp, Sentinel Beach, Cathedral Beach, Swinging Bridge, in the 

southwest area of the former River's Campground, and South of Slaughterhouse Meadow. 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-9 

Re-establish the Valley Loop Trail at Curry Village where it ends. Work would occur in summer or fall. 

Heavy equipment including a skid steer, excavator, loader, and dump truck and would take an 

estimated 4 weeks. 

Roadbridge at Happy Isles: free flowing condition (RES-2-058) – Place large wood in the channel 

and riverbank to lessen the scouring from the bridge. Use brush layering and place a constructed log 

jam. Heavy equipment including a skid steer, excavator, loader, and dump truck. Work would be done 

in late summer or fall for approximately six weeks. 

Sentinel Bridge: free flowing condition (RES-2-059) – Place large wood in the channel and 

riverbank to lessen the scouring from the bridge. Use brush layering and place a constructed log jam. 

Work would be done in late summer or fall for approximately six weeks. Heavy equipment including a 

skid steer, excavator, loader, and dump truck would be used during late summer and fall. 

Swinging Bridge: free flowing condition (RES-2-060) – Place large wood in the channel and 

riverbank to lessen the scouring from the bridge. Use brush layering and place a constructed log jam. 

Work would occur in late summer and fall and last 3 weeks. Heavy equipment including a skid steer, 

excavator, loader, and dump truck would be used during late summer and fall. 

Superintendent's Bridge, footbidge, and associated revetments (RES-2-160) – Install constructed 

log jams, and utilize bioconstructed stabilization on riprap to improve hydrologic function. Work 

would be done in late summer or fall for approximately six weeks. Heavy equipment including a skid 

steer, excavator, loader, and dump truck would be used during late summer and fall. 

Clark's Bridge: free flowing condition (RES-2-054) – Place large wood to lessen the scouring from 

the bridge. Use brush layering of willows to stabilize banks and place a constructed log jam in the area. 

Heavy equipment including a skid steer, excavator, loader, and dump truck would be used and would 

take an estimated 6 weeks during the late summer or fall. 

Pack stock trail from concessioner stables to 

Happy Isles (RES-2-143) – Remove 3,800 feet 

of pack stock trail proximate to the riverbank. 

Remove residual asphalt and other fill material 

with an excavator and skid steer, decompact 

hardened surfaces, recontour surfaces and 

plant riparian vegetation where needed 

(Figure 2). Work would occur any time after 

peak flow when the area is not flooded. Heavy 

equipment including a skid steer, excavator, 

loader, and dump truck and would take an 

estimated 6 weeks, and revegetation would 

require an additional two weeks. 

River channel at Lower and North Pines 

campgrounds – Repair eroded riverbanks at 

Lower and North Pines campgrounds with 

Figure 2: Stock trail in Happy Isles reach passes through 

riparian habitat. Its hardened surface affects natural 

hydrologic processes by preventing sediment transport 

and capture.
APPENDIX E 

E-10 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

bioengineering techniques such as brush layering (Figure 3). Allow vegetation to accrete sediment to 

rebuild the banks. The erosion at North Pines campground is farther advanced and continuous. In 

such cases, plant willows further out into the river channel than currently established vegetation using 

a hydro drill. This project would be implemented in the fall during low flow conditions with duration 

of up to six weeks. Excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used during late summer 

and fall. 

Figure 3: Divot caused by river access at Lower Pines Campground where the riverbank is 

highly vulnerable to erosion at (left). Active restoration by brush layering will stabilize the 

riverbank, capture sediment to rebuild the bank over time and improve riparian habitat. 

Lower Pine Loop within the bed and banks (ONA-2-007) – Remove Lower Pine Loop between sites 

60 and 62, because it is within the bed and banks of the river. Work would occur any time after peak 

flow and when the area is not flooded. Revegetation would occur in late summer or fall and take 

2 weeks. Heavy equipment including a skid steer, excavator, loader, and dump truck would be used 

during late summer and fall. 

River reach between Clark’s and Sentinel Bridges: highly impacted riverbanks (RES-2-062) – To 

address river widening and low channel complexity, build eight constructed log jams (CLJs) in the 

channel between Clark‘s and Sentinel Bridges. Locations of CLJs are shown in the map series that 

follows this Proposed Restoration Actions Appendix. Logs would be gathered locally including naturally 

fallen or salvaged hazard trees when available. Coniferous trees with exposed roots along the bank in 

proximity to the log jam may be pushed over into the river to be incorporated in the constructed log 

jam. These trees with the root ball still attached at the bank would help to anchor the log jam to the 

bank. Burying ends of logs into the bank would also be used to anchor the log jam. Localized riverbank 

erosion would be repaired through brush layering and revegetation of the bank. Heavy equipment 

such as excavator, dozer, loader, and skid steer would be used to place and secure large wood. Work 

would occur in the fall during low flow and last for up to twelve weeks. Heavy equipment would access 

the riverbank from nearby roads, paved bike paths, and former campgrounds with already compacted 

soils and would not pass through wetlands. 

Swinging Bridge River Access (RES-2-155) – Remove river access upstream, river-right of Swinging 

Bridge. Add fencing along bike trail to connect to bridge and revegetate 2,000 square feet of denuded 

area with riparian species and native grasses. Direct visitor use to a large sandbar directly downstream 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-11 

of the bridge (Figure 4). Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck 

would be used. Work would take place in late summer or fall for 4 weeks. 

Figure 4: Current river access point at Swinging Bridge (left) leads to denuded riverbank. River access 

would instead be directed to the adjacent sandbar (right), which is naturally resilient to visitor use and 

provides a nice beach for visitor enjoyment. 

Sentinel Beach Picnic Area (RES-2-031) – Redesign the picnic area to better manage visitor use, and 

designate the area as a formal river access point, fence off sensitive areas, re-direct use to more resilient 

areas and reestablish riparian vegetation. Crews would work for four weeks in late summer and fall. 

Indian Creek drainage (RES-2-007) – Create a buffer zone for the creek by pulling parking and 

residential yard use back 50 feet. Restore native riparian vegetation and protect with restoration 

fencing. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. 

Work would take place in late summer or fall for 4 weeks. 

El Capitan Meadow (RES-2-009) – Reroute climber use trails on north side of road from meadow 

habitat to an appropriate upland route (a few meters to the east). Remove informal trails through 

meadow and oak woodland. Protect re-vegetated areas with fencing or other natural barriers and sign 

the area to reduce trampling of sensitive meadow vegetation. As opportunities arise through 

maintenance or restoration projects, improve hydrologic flow and meadow connectivity by extending 

the permeable road base across the entire segment of Northside Drive through El Capitan Meadow 

and add additional box culverts with bottom elevations equal to the meadow surface elevation. 

Remove encroaching conifer saplings (< 10 inches diameter at breast height) using loppers, handsaws, 

or mowers. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used 

to remove ditches and recontour natural topography. Work would take place in late summer or fall for 

10 weeks.Other restoration treatments at El Capitan Meadow vary depending on alternative. 

Sentinel Beach Picnic Area to El Capitan Moraine: Channel complexity (RES-2-061) – To 

enhance channel complexity in the river reach upstream of the El Capitan moraine to the Sentinel 

picnic area, localized restoration would include willow planting, brush layering, uninhibited 

accumulation and strategic placement of large wood. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, 

loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would take place in late summer or fall for 4 weeks. 
APPENDIX E 

E-12 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

Stoneman Meadow – Slightly expand fenced area to protect wetlands on north end of meadow near 

Lower Pines Campground. Remove invasive non-native species and encroaching conifers. Remove 

ditch, fill with native soils, and revegetate. A mini excavator, skid steer, dump truck, and loader would 

be used when water table is low, in the fall, for eight weeks. 

Bridalveil Meadow: stream headcutting and absence of willows (RES-2-010) – Address headcuts in 

stream on west edge of meadow by planting willow cuttings in the impacted area, along riverbank, and 

adjacent meadow. Reestablish the riparian shrub layer. Manually remove encroaching conifer saplings 

with loppers, hand saws, or mowers. Restoration would require four weeks crew time, with planting 

occurring in fall when willow are heading into dormancy or prior to bud swell in the springtime. 

Cook’s Meadow roadbed: abandoned infrastructure (RES-2-011) – Remove fill of a former road 

bed north of Northside Drive between the Ranger Club and the three-way stop. Revegetate with native 

meadow species. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be 

used. 

Cook’s Meadow: Informal shoulder parking 

(RES-2-012) – Roadside parking along meadow 

(along both Northside Drive and Sentinel Drive) 

would be removed and the area restored to 

meadow conditions (Figure 5). Remove 

approximately 1,800 cubic feet of fill and 

revegetate with native seed and transplanted 

native plants. Heavy equipment including 

excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, dozer, and 

dump truck would be used. Work would take six 

weeks in the late summer or fall. 

Leidig Meadow: Informal trailing (RES-2-

013) – Remove informal trails that incise or 

fragment meadow habitat. Decompact soils and 

revegetate trampled areas with seed collected 

from local native meadow plants. Work would 

occur in late summer or fall over a period of six weeks and a skid steer may be used along with hand 

tools. 

Rocky Point Sewage Plant: abandoned infrastructure (RES-2-014) – Remove abandoned 

infrastructure occupying 9.5-acres at Eagle Creek Meadow. Remove remains of the abandoned Rocky 

Point Sewage Plant including a two-unit reinforced concrete Imhoff settling tank (55 feet x 78 feet) 

and remaining asphalt left from the demolition of the concrete sludge drying bed, and circular 

reinforced chlorinating structure. Any remaining utility pipes would be removed. Re-establish natural 

landscape contours, including the distribution of ephemeral stream channels. Backfill with native soil 

and/or rehabilitate disturbed soils and plant with native plant species. This is a phased project with 

demolition and removal of abandoned infrastructure taking 12 weeks, fill removal, contouring and 

planting four weeks. Heavy equipment would be used including excavator, loader, dozer, dump truck, 

and skid steer. Project would be implemented after peak flooding; summer or fall. 

Figure 5: Roadside parking along Cook’s meadow 

encroaches on meadow. Vegetation is crushed, soils 

compacted and net area of meadows reduced. All 

alternatives eliminate informal parking along meadows.
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-13 

Royal Arches Meadow: abandoned infrastructure (RES-2-016) – Remove abandoned tiles, pipes 

and abandoned road. Decompact soils, remove conifers and revegetate with riparian species. Heavy 

equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, dozer, and dump truck would be used. Work 

would last eight weeks in the late summer and fall. 

Sentinel Meadow: Trampling (RES-2-018) – Add a 150 foot section to the existing boardwalk in order 

to accommodate visitors and reduce meadow trampling. Substantial trampling is evident along river‘s 

edge at north section of the boardwalk. Work would be accomplished in six weeks using a skid steer. 

Western portion of former Lower Pines 

Campground loop: abandoned infrastructure 

(RES-2-019) – Restore 20 acres of the former 

Lower Pines campground to natural conditions. 

Remove any remaining asphalt (Figure 6) and 

decompact soils of former roadbed and campsite 

footprint using an excavator and loader. Treat 

invasive plants (velvet grass). Manually thin 

conifer saplings and trees to allow for a mosaic of 

deciduous riparian species including alder and 

cottonwood. Remove tree stumps with an 

excavator and tub grinder. Restore channel 

topography using the 1919 maps as a guide. This 

work would occur over 12 weeks during summer 

months using heavy equipment including: 

excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, dozer, and 

dump truck. 

Devil’s Elbow: riverbank erosion (RES-2-020) – Relocate parking from Devil’s elbow to the east of 

the current parking lot, and delineate a trail to access the large sandbar to the east of the “elbow”, river 

right. Remove informal trails and restore to meadow conditions through soil decompaction and 

revegetation. Designate river access with appropriate signage. This work would occur up to 12 weeks 

during summer months using heavy equipment including: excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, dozer, 

and dump truck.

Eagle creek drainage: channelization (RES-2-025) – Remove berm and parking lot abutting Eagle 

Creek. Add culverts to allow more dispersed water delivery to the Eagle Creek Meadow. Revegetate 

with native upland species. Heavy equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, dozer, and 

dump truck would be used. Work would last eight weeks in the late summer and fall. 

El Capitan Bridge: River access (RES-2-026) – Redirect visitors accessing the river near El Capitan 

Bridge to sandbars. Fence and revegetate eroded areas. This would occur in the summer and /or fall 

seasons and take two weeks for crew and equipment such as the skid steer. 

Swinging Bridge: Riparian impacts (RES-2-027) – Delineate picnic area by fencing and revegetating 

the river terrace along the riparian zone approximately 50 feet from the ordinary high watermark to 

reduce soil erosion. Fence off sensitive areas and reestablish riparian vegetation. Revegetate denuded 

Figure 6: Asphalt remains in former Lower Pines 

Campground floodplain.
APPENDIX E 

E-14 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

area with riparian species and native grasses. Remove riprap and use bioengineering techniques to 

rebuild riverbank. Re-direct visitors to access the large sandbar on the north and downstream side of 

Swinging Bridge and designate the area as the river access point. Heavy equipment including 

excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, dozer, and dump truck would be used. Work would last eight 

weeks in the late summer and fall. 

Valley Swinging Bridge river access (RES-2-155) – Remove river access upstream, river-right of 

Swinging Bridge. Add fencing along bike trail to connect to bridge and revegetate 2,000 square feet of 

denuded area with riparian species and native grasses. Direct visitor use to a large sandbar directly 

downstream of the bridge (Figure 4). A skid steer would be used and fencing constructed in two weeks 

time and could occur anytime of the year. Revegetation would occur in fall for a period of two weeks. 

Valley Campgrounds: River Access (RES-2-028) – Direct visitors staying in Lower and North Pines 

Campgrounds to resilient sandy beaches through signage and campground maps and brochures. There 

are four sandy beaches in the vicinity of the campgrounds (Figure 7). Fence off vulnerable steep slope 

and provide signs directing visitors to current access. This would occur in the summer or fall and 

require four weeks of crew time with the use of a skid steer. 

Figure 7: Use of the riverbank at the current river access in Lower Pines Campground has caused vegetation 

trampling and heavy erosion of this highly susceptible riverbank (left). Use will instead be directed to resilient 

sandbars such as these, located a short walk downstream (middle and right).

Yosemite Lodge: former lodge cabin area and volunteer center abandoned infrastructure 

(RES-2-030) – Restore 4.5 acres of riparian ecosystem at the site of the former Yosemite Lodge units 

and cabins, and Wellness Center located in the western portion of the Lodge complex (those that were 

damaged by the 1997 flood and subsequently removed). Remove fill, decompact soils and plant 

riparian plant species. Restoration of this area would be completed at low river flow and would require 

eight weeks of crew time. Heavy equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, dozer, and 

dump truck would be used. 

Sentinel Beach Picnic Area: Riparian impacts (RES-2-031) – Redesign the picnic area to better 

manage visitor use and designate the area as a formal river access point, fence off sensitive areas, 

redirect use to more resilient areas and re-establish riparian vegetation. Restoration of this area would 

be completed at low river flow during summer and fall and would require eight weeks of crew time. 

Heavy equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, dozer, and dump truck would be used. 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-15 

Bridalveil Sewer Plant (RES-2-050) – Remove or demolish buried structures including a 200 foot 

long and 5 foot deep concrete chlorine contact chamber, aeration tanks, sludge digesters, and drying 

beds. Backfill with native soil and revegetate with native plants. Remove pipe leading to Black Springs. 

This work would take place in late summer and fall and would include the use of heavy equipment 

such as excavator, dozer, skid steer, dump truck, and loader. This work would take place for two 

seasons for up to eight weeks each year. 

Footings at the former Happy Isles footbridge (beyond gage): free flowing condition (RES-2-056) – 

Remove former Happy Isles footbridge footings and former river gage base (steel re-enforced concrete 

and wet and dry wall masonry).Revegetate denuded areas and improve way-finding between Happy Isles 

and the Mist Trail from the shuttle stop. Break concrete and masonry into movable pieces using an 

excavator-mounted jackhammer. Move material offsite with front-end loaders and dump trucks. 

Recontour and decompact soils and plant appropriate riparian vegetation in all denuded areas. Work 

would be performed by a contractor at low flow, in the fall, and would take four weeks. 

Pohono Bridge: Infrastructure within the bed and banks (RES-2-057) – Move the gauging station 

north of the river outside of the bed and banks of the river. Revegetate denuded areas. Work would 

occur for one week in the fall and include the use of heavy equipment such as an excavator, dump 

truck, loader, and skid steer. 

Clarks Bridge to El Capitan Bridge: Large Woody Debris management (RES-2-063) –Manage 

large wood according to the management plan, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Management of 

Fallen Trees in the Merced River in Yosemite Valley, NPS, 2012. Trees that fall into the river will be 

retained in the river. Large wood may be minimally manipulated to protect critical infrastructure, to 

ensure visitor safety, and to prevent unnatural accumulation of wood near bridges. 

Upper Pines: recreational vehicle dump station (RES-2-144) – Relocate the recreational vehicle 

dump station from its site proximate to the river to a site between Curry parking and the campgrounds 

entrance (see Map Series 1). Heavy equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, dozer, 

and dump truck would be used. 

Cathedral Beach: picnic area (RES-2-145) – Designate area as a formal river access point, fence off 

sensitive areas, and direct use to most resilient areas. Remove parking in the riparian zone, decompact 

soils, plant appropriate native vegetation and delineate river access. Remove infrastructure (toilets, 

parking and picnic tables) in the 10-year floodplain, decompact soils, and revegetate. Work can occur 

any time after peak flow in the upland areas and during low flow of late summer or fall where the water 

table remains high. Four weeks of crew and equipment time would be needed. Heavy equipment 

including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, dozer, and dump truck would be used. 

Yosemite Lodge: Beach Access (RES-2-149) – Direct visitors to the sandbar at Swinging Bridge. 

Fence the riparian area at Yosemite Lodge. Fence construction directing use from the Lodge to 

Swinging Bridge would take one week with the use of a skid steer. 

Ahwahnee Meadow: Former golf course and tennis court (RES-2-151) – Restore the impacted 

portion of Ahwahnee Meadow to natural meadow conditions, while allowing special functions, such 

as weddings to continue on the lawn. Remove the tennis courts from the California black oak 
APPENDIX E 

E-16 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

woodland. Restore topography by removing abandoned irrigation lines and fill, filling in ditches, and 

revegetating with native meadow vegetation. Reconnect currently disjunct portions of Ahwahnee 

Meadow by removing conifers to return approximately 5.65 acres to meadow habitat. Heavy 

equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, dozer, and dump truck would be used. 

Ethnographic ORV: Impacts to traditionally used plant populations (RES-2-045) – The ecological 

restoration actions associated with this planning effort implemented in concert with the existing 

invasive plant management program will address impacts to some traditionally used plant populations 

in some locations. Conifers that are overtopping black oaks would also be considered for removal. 

Pohono Bridge to Big Oak Flat Road Junction: River Access (RES-2-065) – Pave and formalize 

5 roadside pull-outs for river access between Pohono Bridge and the intersection of the Big Oak Flat 

Road. Install curbing along pull-outs and along El Portal Road to prevent further encroachment 

towards the river and associated resource damage. Completely remove one pullout that is not 

protective of resources. In the areas that require ecological restoration following parking and river 

access formalization, decompact soil and revegetate with riparian species including willow. Install 

drainage improvements and head walls at 11 locations. Excavator and skid steer may be used over a 

period of eight weeks during low water in the fall. 

CA-MRP-0046/47/74 (RES-2-032) – Reroute stock trail and formal trail off sensitive area, remove 

graffiti from rock art boulder. 

CA-MRP-0052/H (RES-2-033) – Delineate or reroute bridle path away from site. 

CA-MRP-0055/H (RES-2-034) – Remove informal trails and parking pullout. Increase law 

enforcement and archeology monitoring to protect rock shelter/rock art (best management practices). 

CA-MRP-0057 (RES-2-036) – Remove graffiti in rock shelter and remove informal trails. Increase law 

enforcement and monitoring of rock shelter (best management practices). 

CA-MRP-0062 (RES-2-037) – Remove the logs, graffiti, and informal trails and ecologically restore to 

natural conditions. Relocate the parking area away from the site. 

CA-MRP-0076 (RES-2-038) – Remove informal trails, restore to natural condition, and prohibit 

climbing. 

CA-MRP-0080 (RES-2-039) - Remove campsite 208 and bear box; reroute bathroom foot traffic away 

from milling feature and fence off. 

CA-MRP-0082/H (RES-2-040) – Remove climbing bolts from rockshelter boulder and prohibit 

climbing. Increase interpretation, education, and outreach efforts for climbers (best management 

practices). 

CA-MRP-0158/309 (RES-2-041) – Remove informal trails, restore to natural condition, and prohibit 

climbing on rock art boulder. Increase interpretation, education, and outreach effort for climbers (best 

management practices). 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-17 

CA-MRP-0190/191 (RES-2-042) – Delineate trail/bike path to limit shoulder access within site. 

CA-MRP-0240/303/H (RES-2-043) – Fence off/close access to milling feature next to trail. 

CA-MRP-0902/H (RES-2-152) – Remove informal trails and restore to natural condition. 

Segment 3 

Cascades picnic area: abandoned infrastructure (RES-3-001) – Remove abandoned infrastructure 

including cement block, surface concrete and asphalt and imported rock with skid steer and dump 

truck. Work would take three weeks in late summer or fall. 

Segment 4 

Old El Portal: Soil compaction around Valley oaks from parking (RES-4-002) – Restore the rare 

floodplain community of valley oaks in Old El Portal through implementation of mitigation measures 

related to invasive species removal, overwatering, tree pruning, and prohibiting grading and parking in 

the dripline. Designate oak recruitment areas in the Odger's fuel storage area (to be removed from the 

river corridor in Alternatives 2-6) and the parking lots adjacent to this area. Prohibit new building 

construction within the oak recruitment area. Remove non-native fill and decompact soils (after 

development removal); plant appropriate native understory plant species; treat invasive plants. Heavy 

equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur 

in the late summer or fall and take approximately one month. 

El Portal: river confined by rip-rap and road (RES-4-006) – Develop best management practices for 

revetment construction and repair throughout the river corridor. Vertical walls should be used 

wherever possible. Provide CalTrans with best management practices recommendations when 

repair/replacement is necessary in Segment 4. 

El Portal NPS Maintenance and administrative complex roadside parking (RES-4-007) – Restore 

to natural conditions the informal roadside parking, which is southeast of the dirt parking area, 

between Foresta Road and the Merced River. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, 

loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur in the late summer or fall and take 

approximately one month. 

Trailer court: Restore 150 foot riparian buffer – Remove asphalt and imported fill to restore 

9.3 acres in the 150 foot riparian buffer; recontour and plant native riparian species and oaks. Heavy 

equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would 

occur during low flow in the summer or fall and take approximately one month. 

Greenmeyer sandpit: flood and riparian plant impacts from fill material (RES-4-005) – Restore 

hydrologic function to 1.8 acres of floodplain and re-establish riparian habitat (Figure 8). Excavate 

4,000 cubic feet of angular imported rock, concrete, asphalt and soil which is capping the site to return 

a floodplain elevation of a 20-50 year flood. Restore upland areas to natural topography, utilizing some 
APPENDIX E 

E-18 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

Figure 8: Greenmeyer Sandpit current conditions (left) and target braided channel and riparian habitat 

conditions (middle and right). 

of the fill soils which would reduce the amount need to move off-site. Recontour topographic features. 

Reestablish native vegetation through propagation and planting of local native plants, including 

Sambuccus mexicanus (blue elderberry). Retain road for utilities and to allow for river access. Heavy 

equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. This is a twelve 

week project to be performed at low river flow conditions during summer and fall. 

CA-MRP-0250/H (RES-4-003) – Remove informal trails and non-essential roads. 

CA-MRP-0251/H (RES-4-004) – Remove informal trails. 

CA-MRP-0181/H (RES-2-049) – In recognition of the high cultural significance of CA-MRP-0181/H 

for traditionally associated American Indians, the site will be protected from any further development. 

A plan of action for addressing the abandoned infrastructure on the site will be developed in 

consultation with traditionally associated American Indian tribes and groups. Any solution(s) 

developed will also include a recommended approach for deterring visitor use within the site. 

Segment 5 

CA-MRP-0218 (RES-5-001) – Remove informal trails and charcoal rings. 

Segment 6 

Wawona Impoundment: effects to free-flowing condition (RES-6-001) – Retain current water 

collection and distribution system, implementing the water conservation plan related to the minimum 

flow analysis for the South Fork. 

Wawona: arch district impacts (RES-MS-001) – Increase monitoring frequency for affected sites, 

Increase management protection designed to counteract or minimize impacts, crafted to individual site 

specifications. At the district-wide level, amend National Register of Historic Places nomination to 

reflect district changes and impacts. 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-19 

Segment 7 

South Fork side channels: Abandoned infrastructure (RES-7-005) – Remove abandoned metal 

pipes that dewater the terrace using skid steer, excavator, dump truck and loader for one week. 

Wawona Campground: septic system (RES-7-006) – Develop a waste water collection system. Build 

a pump station above the Wawona Campground to connect the facility to the existing waste water 

treatment plant. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be 

used. Work would occur during low flow in the summer or fall and take approximately one month. 

Wawona dump station: proximity to river (RES-7-007) – Relocate the dump site to the Wawona 

Campground away from the river. Design and construct RV dump station on a new sewer line near the 

campground entrance, at least 150 feet away from the river's ordinary high water mark. After the 

existing dump station is removed, revegetate the area with native plants. Heavy equipment including 

excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur during low 

flow in the summer or fall and take approximately three weeks. 

South Fork Wawona picnic area: river access and water quality (RES-7-008) – Delineate picnic 

area and a path to the river to encourage visitors to use more resilient areas. One week crew time at low 

flow would be needed. 

Wawona picnic area: river access and water quality (RES-7-009) – Harden the three steep river 

access points using rockwork or staircase construction to prevent further erosion. If needed, place 

fencing to direct visitors to these hardened access points. Add path to river that encourages visitors to 

walk in the more resilient areas. Work would be performed for two weeks after peak water flow with 

an excavator and skid steer. 

Wawona Maintenance yard: Riparian Impacts (FAC-7-001) – Remove staged materials, abandoned 

utilities, vehicles, and parking lot from the riparian buffer and restore a native ecosystem. Provide a 

150-foot wide restoration buffer. Work would be performed for two weeks after peak water flow with 

an excavator and skid steer. 

CA-MRP-0374 (RES-7-001) – Remove informal trail, delineates access road, and reduce hazard fuels. 

CA-MRP-0008/H (RES-7-002) - Remove informal trails. Relocate camp sites out of archeological site. 

Also, relocate the campground to the Wawona Stables. 

CA-MRP-0171172/254/516/H (RES-7-012) - Remove informal trails and shoulder and off-road 

parking. 

CA-MRP-0168/0329/H (RES-7-003) – Remove 7 campsites from Wawona Campground that cause 

potential impacts to the archeological site. 

Wawona: arch district impacts (RES-MS-001) – Increase monitoring frequency for affected sites, 

Increase management protection designed to counteract or minimize impacts, crafted to individual site 
APPENDIX E 

E-20 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

specifications. At the district-wide level, amend National Register of Historic Places nomination to 

reflect district changes and impacts. 

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION ACTIONS WITHIN ALTERNATIVES 

There is a varying degree of ecological restoration associated with the removal of infrastructure such 

as roads and bridges within the range of action alternatives (see Table E-1 below). In Alternative 6, all 

roads and bridges would be retained and their impacts on hydrology and free-flowing condition are 

addressed through engineered solutions such as placing culverts under roads that bisect meadows and 

placing engineered log jams adjacent to bridges to ameliorate scour pool formation. In Alternative 5, 

Sugar Pine Bridge, the bridge causing the greatest hydrologic restriction, would be removed. In 

Alternatives 2, 3, and 4, Sugar Pine and Ahwahnee Bridges and the berm connecting them would be 

removed, greatly enhancing free-flowing condition and hydrologic function of this river reach. 

Stoneman Bridge would be removed in addition to Sugar Pine and Ahwahnee Bridges in Alternatives 2 

and 3 to further enhance free-flowing conditions. In Alternative 5, further study would be undertaken 

to assess the potential costs and benefits of removal of the road segment through Stoneman Meadow. 

No permanent structures would be built that would preclude a future reroute of this road to the south 

of the meadow. Alternative 4 would remove the road segment that bisects Stoneman Meadow, but 

retains the segment of road that bisects Ahwahnee Meadow. Alternatives 2 and 3 would remove the 

road through Stoneman Meadow and Ahwahnee Meadow to restore 2.7 acres of wet meadow and 

restore hydrologic connectivity to the meadows. Roads through other meadows such as El Capitan, 

Cook‘s and Sentinel would not be rerouted but rather improvements in the road made, such as 

placement of additional culverts and addition of permeable road base to better connect hydrologic 

flow. 

TABLE E-1: AREA (ACRES) OF ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION PROPOSED AS ACTIONS COMMON TO ALL ALTERNATIVES 

(CTA) AND BY ALTERNATIVE (ACREAGE REPORTED IN EACH ALTERNATIVE INCLUDES ACTIONS COMMON 

TO ALL) 

Alt CTA 2 3 4 5 6 

Meadow, Riparian and Floodplain 

Restoration 164 347 302 223 203 170 

The site of the former Upper and Lower Rivers Campgrounds has a range of restoration options 

within the action alternatives. Alternatives 2 and 3 would provide for the greatest degree of ecological 

restoration, fully restoring the area to a mosaic of riparian, floodplain, meadow and oak woodland 

habitat. In these alternatives, the road bisecting the area and Ahwahnee Meadow is removed, allowing 

for maximum potential for the river to reshape the landscape, unimpeded. Natural topography, 

including side channels, would be restored to natural conditions. In Alternatives 4, 5, and 6, the road 

would remain and camping and day use added. The riparian buffer outside of the campground would 

be restored to natural conditions in Alternatives 2-6. 

The greatest need for river channel restoration occurs in the vicinity of the campgrounds and 

Housekeeping Camp where the greatest channel widening has occurred. Because riverbanks along the 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-21 

former Upper Rivers Campground are not resilient river access points, they need protection from 

trampling. The lower number of visitors in Alternatives 2 and 3 due to lack of road access and camping 

would be protective of these riverbanks. In Alternatives 4, 5, and 6, riverbanks would be closed, fenced 

and signed to prevent vegetation damage and riverbank erosion. River use would be directed across 

the road, to the large sandbar beach at Lower Rivers. In Alternatives 5 and 6, river access would also be 

available across from the Ahwahnee Bridge, which would remain in place under these alternatives. 

Current parking at Yosemite Village Day Use Parking (Camp 6) and the Curry Orchard Parking Area 

are re-evaluated in this plan. There are two options within the Alternatives for restoration at Camp 6. 

In Alternatives 4, 5 and 6, the footprint of the current parking lot would be pulled back from the river 

at least 150 feet from the ordinary high water mark, allowing for riparian restoration and future 

protection. In Alternatives 2 and 3, all parking and roads would be moved out of the 10-year 

floodplain, which would allow for riparian restoration as well as restoration of the active floodplain 

and allow future potential for the river to reshape the land. These alternatives ecologically restore a 

larger portion of this dynamic floodplain area. Storm run-off mitigations would be used in all 

alternatives to protect water quality. Actions at the Curry Orchard Parking Area range from major 

ecological restoration to minimal change. In Alternatives 5 and 6, the area would remain designated 

parking and limited restoration would occur. In Alternative 3 and 4, most of the parking lot would 

remain while the northern portion would be restored to natural conditions. In Alternative 2, the 

parking footprint at this location remains similar to existing conditions, but areas to the north and east 

are restored when road segments are removed. In all alternatives, the apple trees would be removed to 

mitigate human-bear encounters and these areas would be revegetated with native species. 

There is a range of options within the alternatives for restoring riparian and floodplain habitat at 

Housekeeping Camp. In Alternatives 5 and 6, 34 structures that are within the modeled ordinary high 

water mark are removed and riparian habitat restored. Under Alternative 4, 166 structures—those 

within the observed high water of 2010 and 2011—are removed, resulting in a larger area for 

restoration. A much larger riparian zone would be restored and channel complexity restored in the 

active floodplain. Day use in this area increases in this alternative and visitors would be directed to the 

sandbar beaches. Alternatives 2 and 3 provide for the greatest restoration opportunity with the 

removal of all lodging units. Riparian habitat and the 10-year floodplain would be restored allowing 

the greatest level of unimpeded river processes. Alternative 2 and 3 retain a restroom and a small 

parking lot in the highest elevations to provide for day use picnicking. In all alternatives, current access 

on the steep, eroding slope on the eastern side would be closed and restored and all river access 

directed to the sandbar on the western side or to the north side of Housekeeping Bridge. 

Campsites in close proximity to the river in Wawona and Yosemite Valley are also addressed in 

Alternatives 2-6. In Alternatives 5 and 6, sites within 100 feet of the river are removed and riparian 

habitat restored. In Alternatives 3 and 4, the setback is 150 feet. All sites in the 100-year floodplain are 

removed and restored to natural conditions in Alternative 2. This entails removal of all of North Pines 

campground and full restoration of a dynamic floodplain. 

At the Yosemite Lodge complex, areas west of the lodge where former lodging units were removed 

following damage from the 1997 flood would be restored to natural condition. This action is common 

to Alternatives 2-6. Much of this area is frequently flooded and supports riparian vegetation. In 
APPENDIX E 

E-22 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

Alternative 3, 4 buildings in the floodplain are removed and the area restored to natural conditions. 

Alternative 2 removes all infrastructure in the 100-year floodplain and restores the greatest area of 

floodplain habitat. 

Alternative 2 

This alternative was designed to restore much of the 100-year floodplain. Roads over meadows and 

bridges impacting free-flowing condition are removed and restored to natural conditions. This 

alternative includes restoration of more than 347 acres of riparian, meadows and upland habitat within 

the river corridor. It removes development including campsites, informal trails, and non-essential 

roads from sensitive areas. 

Segment 1 

Merced Lake Ranger Station Meadow: grazing (RES-1-002) – Remove the meadow from grazing 

permanently. Require all administrative pack stock passing through the Merced Lake area to carry 

pellet feed. 

Segment 2 

Ahwahnee Row and Tecoya Housing: 100-yr. floodplain (RES-2-007) – After removal of housing, 

decompact soils, recontour topography (using 1919 maps as a guide) and plant native meadow 

vegetation. Heavy equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be 

used for eight weeks in the late summer and fall. 

Yosemite Lodge: buildings in the 100-year floodplain (RES-2-024) – Restore 28 acres of floodplain 

and riparian habitat after removal of all Yosemite Lodge buildings in the 100-year floodplain. Heavy 

equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used for eight 

weeks in the late summer and fall. 

Ahwahnee Meadow: Northside Drive and bike path impact hydrology and meadow extent (RES2-004) – Remove the road from Camp 6 intersection to Southside Drive to restore 0.9 acre of wet 

meadow and improve meadow hydrology and 0.7 acres of California black oak habitat. Remove 

12,500 cubic yards of asphalt and imported fill material and recontour to natural topography and 

restore natural hydrology. Revegetate meadow through propagation and seeding with native meadow 

species. Revegetate California black oak and floodplain understory with appropriate plants. Heavy 

equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Revegetate 

with willows, cottonwoods and other riparian species. Crews would work 12 weeks during the fall for 

two years. 

El Capitan Meadow: bisected by road, informal trails, conifer encroachment (RES-2-009) – 

Remove all informal trails and areas of bare compacted soils and restore to native plan communities. 

Disperse and reduce roadside parking along the meadow through alternative pavement striping 

(approximately 30 spaces removed). Retain some roadside parking for SAR and other administrative 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-23 

traffic. Use restoration fencing and signing where necessary to further protect the meadow from 

trampling. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. 

Work would occur during low flow in the summer or fall and take approximately three months. 

Stoneman Meadow and Orchard parking lot: Road through meadow and parking lot (RES-2-

008) – Remove the road through Stoneman Meadow to restore 1.9 acres of wet meadow and improve 

hydrology to entire meadow. Remove 7,260 cubic yards of asphalt and imported fill material, 

recontour to natural topography and restore natural hydrology. Revegetate through propagation and 

seeding with native meadow species. Remove apple trees. Remove imported fill, decompact soils and 

recontour using the 1919 maps as a guide. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, 

and dump truck would be used. Revegetate with willows, cottonwoods and other riparian species. 

Crews would work 12 weeks during the fall for two years. 

Housekeeping Camp: riparian restoration and river access (RES-2-023) – Remove all 

infrastructure and riprap at Housekeeping Camp and restore 16.8 acres of floodplain and riparian 

ecosystem to natural conditions. Convert area to day use river access (raft put-in) and picnicking. 

Focus river access to resilient locations. This work would be phased over the course of two seasons 

and would occur between midsummer and early winter, depending on weather and soil moisture. All 

work within the bed and banks of the river would be done at low river flow conditions. Phase 1(year 1) 

would take 14 weeks and would concentrate on the removal of all infrastructure including lateral 

utilities, concrete structures, revetment and, when hauling is complete, removal of imported fill 

material. Native sand and gravel fill may be retained on site. Phase 2 (year 2), would include additional 

grading and contouring, decompaction of soils, fence construction and planting and would take six 

weeks. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. 

Upper and Lower Rivers Campground: abandoned infrastructure (RES-2-021) – Restore 

topography of 35.6 acres of impacted floodplain to support a mosaic of riparian, meadow and 

California black oak woodland at the former Rivers campgrounds site. Remove any remaining asphalt, 

decompact soils of former roads and campsites and re-establish seasonal channels and natural 

topography that have been graded flat. Develop a planting plan for restoring native plant communities 

and restoring soils to support them. Mechanically remove ponderosa pine and incense cedar saplings 

and mature trees that are infringing on California black oaks and growing on soils that once supported 

meadow communities. Revegetate with native meadow grasses, sedges, and shrubs. Plant native 

riparian species, such as willow, alder and cottonwood along riverbanks. Remove Lower River 

amphitheater structure and associated fill material. Restore natural topography to original contours 

and revegetate with wetland plants. Fence the revegetated areas for up to 3 years to prevent trampling 

of young plants and seedlings. This work would be phased over two years. Excavation of former 

channels and roads would generate asphalt, rock and other material not suited to the ecology of the 

site and would moved off-site. The excavation, grading and hauling would last ten to twelve weeks. 

Fencing and planting would be done in an additional three weeks. Heavy equipment including 

excavator, skid steer, loader, dozer, and dump truck would be used. Most if not all of this work would 

be completed in the late summer and fall. 

Valley Campgrounds: campsites near the river (RES-2-022) – Remove all campsites and 

infrastructure at all sites within the 100-year floodplain and restore 25.1 acres of floodplain and 
APPENDIX E 

E-24 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

riparian habitat. This includes all sites at North Pines and Yellow Pines campgrounds, 19 sites at 

Backpacker‘s Campground, 32 sites at Lower Pines and 22 sites at Upper Pines. Remove asphalt, base 

rock, fill material; decompact soils, recontour and revegetate. Erect new fencing or adjust existing 

fencing to protect the riparian zone. Restore topography with natural drainages. Restore a mosaic of 

riparian, meadow, and oak habitat. Revegetate with native species. Repair eroded riverbanks with 

brush layering and willow planting. Remove conifer saplings. Twenty-two weeks crew and equipment 

time would be needed for implementation over a three year period. Work within the bed and banks of 

the river would occur at low river flow while work on the terrace would occur in the summer or fall. 

Heavy equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. 

Revetment: free flowing condition (RES-2-051) – In addition to the revetment removed in the 

Common to All Action Alternative, remove 964 linear feet of riprap adjacent to Sugar Pine, Ahwahnee 

and Stoneman Bridges. Excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Revegetate with 

willows, cottonwoods and other riparian species. Crews would work 12 weeks over two years during 

low flow in fall. 

Stoneman Bridge: free flowing condition (RES-2-053) – Remove Stoneman Bridge, asphalt, and 

other imported material. Salvage native river gravel from the berm and place in cut-off channel. 

Salvage other native soils for use in restoration. Revegetate with riparian species. Implementation 

would take 10 weeks with all work except asphalt removal occurring at river low flow conditions. 

Excavator, skid steer, dozer, and dump truck would be used. 

Sugar Pine Bridge and Ahwahnee Bridge and Road Berm: free flowing condition (RES-2-052) – 

Remove Sugar Pine and Ahwahnee Bridges and the causeway between Sugar Pine and Ahwahnee 

Bridges and associated berm. Remove asphalt and other imported material. Salvage native river gravel 

from the berm and place in cut-off channel. Salvage other native soils for use in restoration. After 

bridge removal, allow channel to reconfigure on its own. Revegetate with riparian species. 

Implementation would take 15 weeks with all work except asphalt removal occurring at river low flow 

conditions. Reroute the multiple use trail to the north bank of the river. Excavator, skid steer, loader, 

and dump truck would be used. 

Concessioner stables to Happy Isles: pack stock trail (RES-2-143) – Remove trail and restore to 

natural conditions (see actions common to all). 

Camp 6: Water Quality, proximity to the River, and fill material within the 5-to 10-year 

floodplain. (RES-2146) – Restore 10.8 acres of riparian and floodplain habitats at Camp 6 up to the 

10-year floodplain: remove unnatural fill identified in soil studies. Remove construction-generated 

boulders remaining from use as staging area. Plant riparian and wetland species appropriate to the 

habitat after fill removal. Allow seasonal flooding to re-work remaining topography. Revegetate 

eroded riverbanks and increase signage to avoid continued impacts (Figure 9). Heavy equipment 

including excavator, skid steer, dozer, loader, and dump truck would be used. 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-25 

Figure 9: Healthy herbaceous riparian vegetation growing on the riverbank (left) contrasts with trampled 

and eroded riverbank adjacent the Camp 6 Day Use Parking Lot. 

Valley Meadows: Valley Loop Trail impacts through meadows (RES-2-005) – Reroute trail 

through Slaughterhouse Meadow out of wetlands to an upland area. Move the 780 feet of the trail 

through Bridalveil Meadow to the toe of the fill slope of Southside Drive. Decompact, recontour and 

revegetate the abandoned sections of trail with native meadow species. Because trail reroute would be 

located in the upland, work may occur at any time of year and would take three weeks crew time. 

Removal of existing trail and replanting of meadow would take three weeks in the fall. Heavy 

equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, dozer, and dump truck would be used. 

Ahwahnee Meadow oxbows: trail impacts (RES-2-003) – Reroute the trail so it does not pass 

through wetlands; consolidate use with trail to Housekeeping Footbridge where possible. Remove 

asphalt and fill material from abandoned section of trail and revegetate with native wetland plants. 

Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would 

occur during low flow in the summer or fall and take approximately one month. 

Former Yosemite Lodge cabins (Pine and Oak) area (RES-2-154) – Restore 10.9 acres of riparian 

ecosystem at the site of the former Yosemite Lodge units and cabins (area commonly known as the 

Oak and Pine cabins, which were removed after being damaged by the 1997 flood). Remove riprap 

from Yosemite Creek and plant willows along stream bank. Remove informal trails throughout the 

eastern end of the lodge near Yosemite Creek and formalize one trail through the area. Delineate one 

service road to the well house and parking. Remove excess service roads. Remove fill, decompact soils 

and plant riparian plant species. Heavy equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, and 

dump truck would be used. 

Segment 4 

Old El Portal: parking and development in valley oaks (RES-4-002) – Restore the rare floodplain 

community of valley oaks in Old El Portal through implementation of mitigation measures related to 

invasive species removal, overwatering, tree pruning, and prohibiting grading and parking in the 

dripline (see Appendix D). Also, create a valley oak recruitment area of 2.25 acres in Old El Portal in 

the vicinity of the current Odger's bulk fuel storage area, including adjacent parking lots. Decompact 
APPENDIX E 

E-26 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

soils, plant appropriate native understory plant species, and treat invasive plants. Prohibit new building 

construction within the oak recruitment area. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, 

loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur in the late summer or fall and take 

approximately one month. 

Segment 7 

Wawona golf course (RES-7-004) – Remove the golf course and restore meadow ecosystem. 

Recontour to natural topography. Remove any imported fill material. Remove non-native plants and 

restore native meadow plant communities through propagation, seeding, and planting. Remove 

channelization of creek and restore natural hydrology. Continue to use the area as a spray field. This 

would occur with large heavy equipment over a three year period working three months per year. 

Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. 

Wawona Campground: campground activity near river (ONA-7-001) – Remove 32 campsites in 

Wawona Campground that are in the 100-year floodplain or in culturally sensitive areas to restore 

8.2 acres of riparian and floodplain ecosystem. Decompact soils and plant with riparian vegetation. 

Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would 

occur during low flow in the summer or fall and take approximately one month. Wawona Stock Camp 

(RES-7-011): Two stock use campground sites relocated from sensitive resource area to Wawona 

Stables. The sites will then be recontoured, soil decompacted and revegetated. Heavy equipment 

including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur during low 

flow in the summer or fall and take approximately one month. 

Alternative 3 

This alternative provides for significant restoration within 150 feet of the river. This alternative targets 

restoration strategically throughout the corridor, removing infrastructure such as campsites, roads, 

bridges, informal and formal trails from sensitive areas. It restores targeted areas such as the 10 year 

floodplain near Camp 6, the former Upper and Lower Rivers Campgrounds, the 100 year floodplain at 

Housekeeping Camp, and the Wawona Golf Course. In total, it restores 302 acres to natural conditions 

within the river corridor. 

Segment 1 

Merced Lake Ranger Station Meadow: grazing (RES-1-002) – Develop preliminary grazing 

capacities for the Merced Lake East Meadow. When the meadow recovers, allow administrative 

grazing at established capacities. Monitor annually for five years, adapting use levels as needed. 

Segment 2 

Yosemite Lodge: buildings in the 100-year floodplain (RES-2-024) – Remove 4 buildings in the 

100-year floodplain and restore floodplain and riparian habitat. Heavy equipment including excavator, 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-27 

skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur during the summer or fall and 

take approximately one month. 

Ahwahnee Meadow: Northside Drive and bike path impact hydrology and meadow extent 

(RES-2-004) – Same as Alternative 2. 

El Capitan Meadow: bisected by road, informal trails, conifer encroachment (RES-2-009) – 

Remove all informal trails from the meadow that incise, promote habitat fragmentation, or are located 

in sensitive and frequently inundated areas, and restore to natural condition. Use restoration fencing 

and signing to designate appropriate meadow access points. Revegetate with native meadow species. 

Boardwalks would not be used as an action within this alternative. Remove ditches and restore natural 

hydrology. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. 

Work would occur during the summer or fall and take approximately one month. 

Stoneman Meadow and Orchard parking lot: Road through meadow and parking lot (RES-2-

008) – Remove the road through Stoneman Meadow as in Alternative 2. Remove some asphalt from 

the Curry Orchard parking and revegetate with native plants. Remove apple trees to mitigate humanbear encounters. Remove imported fill, decompact soils and recontour where road and parking is 

removed. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. 

Work would occur during the summer or fall and take approximately two months. 

Housekeeping Camp: riparian restoration and river access (RES-2-023) – Remove all lodging 

infrastructure and riprap at Housekeeping Camp and restore 16.8 acres of floodplain and riparian 

ecosystem to natural conditions. Convert area to day use river access (raft put-in) and picnicking, 

while focusing river access to the sandbar across from Housekeeping Bridge. Heavy equipment 

including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur during low 

flow in the summer or fall and take approximately two months. 

Upper and Lower Rivers Campground: abandoned infrastructure (RES-2-021) – Same as 

Alternative 2. 

Valley Campgrounds: campsites near the river (RES-2-022) – Remove sites at Backpacker‘s Camp, 

Lower Pines and North Pines Campgrounds that are within 150’ of the ordinary high water to restore 

12 acres of riparian habitat (Figure 9). Remove asphalt, base rock, fill material; decompact soils, 

recontour and revegetate. Erect new fencing or adjust existing fencing to protect the riparian zone. 

Harden river access point at North Pines campground by using pinned logs back filled with native 

gravel. Fence sensitive areas and brush layer with willows to repair eroded riverbank and revegetate 

denuded areas. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be 

used. Work would occur during low flow in the summer or fall and take approximately one month. 

Revetment: free flowing condition (RES-2-051) – In addition to actions common to all, an 

additional 435 linear feet of riprap would be removed and the river banks revegetated. Heavy 

equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur 

during low flow in the fall and take approximately four months. 

Stoneman Bridge: free flowing condition (RES-2-053) – Same as Alternative 2. 
APPENDIX E 

E-28 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

Sugar Pine Bridge and Ahwahnee Bridge and Road Berm: free flowing condition (RES-2-052) – 

Same as Alternative 2. 

River reach between Clark’s and Sentinel Bridges: highly impacted riverbanks (RES-2-062) – 

Same as Alternative 2. 

Concessioner stables to Happy Isles: pack stock trail (RES-2-143) – In addition to the actions 

described in common to all, re-route stock trail north along the road where it meets up with the Valley 

Loop Trail. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. 

Work would occur during the summer or fall and take approximately one month. 

Camp 6: Water Quality, proximity to the River, and fill material within the 5-to 10-year 

floodplain (RES-2-146) – Same as Alternative 2. 

Valley Meadows: Valley Loop Trail impacts through meadows (RES-2-005) – Same as Alternative 2. 

Ahwahnee Meadow oxbows: trail impacts (RES-2-003) – Same as Alternative 2. 

Former Yosemite Lodge cabins (Pine and Oak) area (RES-2-154) – Restore 10.9 acres of riparian 

ecosystem at the site of the former Yosemite Lodge units and cabins (area commonly known as the 

Oak and Pine cabins, which were removed after being damaged by the 1997 flood). Remove riprap 

from Yosemite Creek and plant willows along stream bank. Remove informal trails throughout the 

eastern end of the lodge near Yosemite Creek and formalize one trail through the area. Delineate one 

service road to the well house and parking. Remove excess service roads. Remove fill, decompact soils 

and plant riparian plant species. Heavy equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, and 

dump truck would be used. 

Segment 4 

Old El Portal: parking and development in valley oaks (RES-4-002) – Restore the rare floodplain 

community of valley oaks in Old El Portal through implementation of mitigation measures related to 

invasive species removal, overwatering, tree pruning, and prohibiting grading and parking in the 

dripline (see Appendix D). Also, create a valley oak recruitment area of 2.25 acres in Old El Portal in 

the vicinity of the current Odger's bulk fuel storage area, including adjacent parking lots. Decompact 

soils, plant appropriate native understory plant species, and treat invasive plants. Prohibit new building 

construction within the oak recruitment area. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, 

loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur in the late summer or fall and take 

approximately one month. 

Segment 7 

Site-Specific Programmatic Wawona golf course: operating in old meadow habitat (RES-7-004) – 

Same as Alternative 2. 

Wawona Campground: campground activity near river (ONA-7-001) – Retains 69 sites and one 

group site. Remove 27 sites that are either within 150 feet of the river or in culturally sensitive areas. 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-29 

Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would 

occur during low flow in the summer or fall and take approximately one month. 

Wawona Stock Camp (RES-7-011) – Two stock use campground sites relocated from sensitive 

resource area to Wawona Stables. The sites will then be recontoured, soil decompacted and 

revegetated. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. 

Work would occur during low flow in the summer or fall and take approximately one month. 

Alternative 4 

In this alternative, restoration efforts are targeted at the riparian buffer and select road and bridge 

removal, with a total of 223 acres restored. Removal of campsites and riparian restoration within 

150 feet of the bed and banks would occur. Two bridges—Ahwahnee and Sugar Pine—would be 

removed and the road through Stoneman meadow would be rerouted out of the meadow and the 

meadow extent restored. Campsites, informal trails and non-essential roads would be removed from 

culturally sensitive areas. 

Segment 1 

Merced Lake Ranger Station Meadow: grazing (RES-1-002) – Remove the Merced Lake East 

Meadow from grazing permanently. Require all administrative pack stock passing through the Merced 

Lake area to carry pellet feed. 

Segment 2 

Ahwahnee Meadow: Northside Drive and bike path impact hydrology and meadow extent 

(RES-2-004) –Mitigate effects of the road and bike trail through the meadow with culverts or other 

engineered solutions that allow passage of underground water. Heavy equipment including excavator, 

skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. 

El Capitan Meadow: bisected by road, informal trails, conifer encroachment (RES-2-009) – 

Remove all informal trails from the meadow that incise, promote habitat fragmentation, or are located 

in sensitive and frequently inundated areas, and restore to natural condition. Use restoration fencing 

along northern perimeter of meadow and designate appropriate access points using boardwalks and 

viewing platforms. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be 

used over a period of up to eight weeks for two years. Work would take place during summer or fall. 

Fencing can occur any time of the year. 

Stoneman Meadow and Orchard parking lot: Road through meadow and parking lot (RES-2-

008) – Remove the road through Stoneman Meadow as in Alternatives 2 and 3. Remove part of Curry 

Orchard parking lot to restore 3.4 acres of meadow. Remove imported fill, decompact soils and 

recontour using the 1919 maps as a guide. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, 

and dump truck would be used. Work would occur during the summer or fall and take approximately 

three months. 
APPENDIX E 

E-30 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

Housekeeping Camp: riparian restoration and river access (RES-2-023) – Remove 166 units to 

restore 12.2 acres of riparian zone. Provide for day use arriving via shuttle with trails to access to the 

large sandbars on the western edge of Housekeeping Camp and across Housekeeping Bridge. Restore 

natural topography and channels through the removal of fill material. Revegetate with native riparian 

and wetland species. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would 

be used over a period of up to eight weeks for two years. Work would take place during low water in 

the fall. 

Upper and Lower Rivers Campground: abandoned infrastructure (RES-2-021) – Restore and 

protect 19.7 acres of the riparian zone at the former Rivers campgrounds site to a mosaic of riparian, 

meadow, and California black oak habitat. Fence and close the riparian zone at Upper Rivers to protect 

the riverbank from trampling. Mechanically remove ponderosa pine and incense cedar saplings and 

mature trees less than 18 inch dbh (diameter at breast height) within the restoration area that are 

infringing on California black oaks and growing on soils that once supported meadow communities. 

Revegetate with native meadow grasses, sedges, and shrubs. Plant native riparian species such as willow, 

alder, and cottonwood along the riverbank. Direct river access to the sandbar at Lower Rivers or to the 

beach across the Ahwahnee Bridge. Use signage for way finding and for interpretation of river-related 

natural processes. Remove any remaining abandoned asphalt, decompact soils of former roads and 

campsites. Restore natural contours and re-establish drainage channels that have been filled. Place large 

box culverts or other design components such as rolling dips, permeable sub grade, etc to improve 

surface water flow across roads and trails. Heavy equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, 

loader, and dump truck would be used over a period of up to two months for two years in the fall. 

Valley Campgrounds: Remove campsites near the river (RES-2-022) – Same as Alternative 3. 

Revetment: free flowing condition (RES-2-051) – Same as Alternative 3. 

Stoneman Bridge: free flowing condition (RES-2-053) – Mitigate effects of bridge through 

engineered solutions. Place large wood to lessen the scouring from bridge. Use brush layering and 

place a constructed log jam. Add culverts along Northside Drive to improve drainage. Heavy 

equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur 

during low flow in the summer or fall and take approximately one month. 

Sugar Pine Bridge and Ahwahnee Bridge and Road Berm: free flowing condition (RES-2-052) – 

Remove Sugar Pine and Ahwahnee Bridges as in Alternative 2. Heavy equipment including excavator, 

skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used and work would last for up to four weeks. 

Concessioner stables to Happy Isles: pack stock trail (RES-2-143) – Same as Alternative 2. 

Camp 6: Water Quality, proximity to the River, and fill material within the 5-to 10-year 

floodplain (RES-2-146) – Restore 6.1 acres in the 150 foot riparian buffer adjacent to Camp 6: remove 

unnatural fill as identified in soil studies. Plant native riparian species in unvegetated areas after fill 

removal. Allow seasonal flooding to re-work remaining topography. Revegetate eroded riverbanks, 

fence the riparian buffer and increase signage to avoid continued impacts (Figure 7). Heavy equipment 

including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used over a period of up to eight 

weeks for two years and take place during low water in the fall. 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-31 

Valley Meadows: Valley Loop Trail impacts through meadows (RES-2-005) – Same as Alternative 2. 

Ahwahnee Meadow oxbows: trail impacts (RES-2-003) – In the sections of trail (350 feet) that pass 

through oxbows, remove the asphalt and fill and replace with a boardwalk. Heavy equipment 

including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur during low 

flow in the summer or fall and take approximately one month. 

Former Yosemite Lodge cabins (Pine and Oak) area (RES-2-154) – Restore 10.9 acres of riparian 

ecosystem at the site of the former Yosemite Lodge units and cabins (area commonly known as the 

Oak and Pine cabins, which were removed after being damaged by the 1997 flood). Remove riprap 

from Yosemite Creek and plant willows along stream bank. Remove informal trails throughout the 

eastern end of the lodge near Yosemite Creek and formalize one trail through the area. Delineate one 

service road to the well house and parking. Remove excess service roads. Remove fill, decompact soils 

and plant riparian plant species. Heavy equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, and 

dump truck would be used. 

Segment 4 

Old El Portal: parking and development in valley oaks (RES-4-002) – Restore the rare floodplain 

community of valley oaks in Old El Portal through implementation of mitigation measures related to 

invasive species removal, overwatering, tree pruning, and prohibiting grading and parking in the 

dripline (see Appendix D). Also, create a valley oak recruitment area of 1acre in Old El Portal in the 

vicinity of the current Odger's bulk fuel storage area, including adjacent parking lots. Decompact soils, 

plant appropriate native understory plant species, and treat invasive plants. Prohibit new building 

construction within the oak recruitment area. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, 

loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur in the late summer or fall and take 

approximately one month. 

Segment 7 

Wawona Campground: campground activity near river (ONA-7-001) – Same as Alternative 3. 

Wawona Stock Camp (RES-7-011) – Two stock use campground sites relocated from sensitive 

resource area to Wawona Stables. The sites will then be recontoured, soil decompacted and 

revegetated. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. 

Work would occur during the summer or fall and take approximately one month. 

Alternative 5 

This alternative would restore riparian habitat along the Merced River 100 feet from the ordinary high 

water mark. To enhance free-flowing condition it would remove Sugar Pine Bridge and increase 

channel complexity below the other bridges through addition of constructed log jams and other 

bioengineering techniques. It restores 203 acres to natural conditions within the river corridor and 

includes removing campsites within 100 feet of the bed and banks and removing informal trails and 
APPENDIX E 

E-32 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

non-essential roads from sensitive areas. This alternative calls for the study of road removal through 

Stoneman Meadow. 

Segment 1 

Merced Lake Ranger Station Meadow: grazing (RES-1-002) – Same as Alternative 3. 

Segment 2 

Ahwahnee Meadow: Northside Drive and bike path impact hydrology and meadow extent 

(RES-2-004) – Same as Alternative 4.

El Capitan Meadow: bisected by road, informal trails, conifer encroachment (RES-2-009) –

Remove all informal trails from the meadow that incise, promote habitat fragmentation, or are located 

in sensitive and frequently inundated areas, and restore to natural condition. Use restoration fencing 

along northern perimeter of meadow and designate appropriate access points using boardwalks and 

viewing platforms. Selectively remove mature conifers that block views of El Capitan from the 

roadside. Equipment including skid steer would be used over a period of up to six weeks for two years. 

Fencing can occur any time of the year. 

Stoneman Meadow and Orchard parking lot: Road through meadow and parking lot (RES-2-

008) – Study potential for road removal through Stoneman Meadow. Remove roadside parking along 

Stoneman Meadows and restore to meadow conditions. Remove 1,350 cubic feet of fill, revegetate 

with native seed and/or transplanted native plants. Remove apple trees in Curry Orchard parking lot. 

For roadside parking removal, equipment work, hauling, and revegetation would take 10 weeks with 

work performed in the late summer or fall. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, 

and dump truck would be used. 

Housekeeping Camp: riparian restoration and 

river access (RES-2-023) – Remove 34 units 

from within the ordinary high water mark to 

restore 1 acre of riparian habitat (Figure 10). 

After removal of structures, adjust fence location 

to provide greater distance away from the bed 

and banks. Revegetate with riparian plant 

species. The work would be performed in the fall 

after the camp is closed for the season. Heavy 

equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, 

loader, and dump truck may be used over a 

period of up to eight weeks. 

Upper and Lower Rivers Campground: 

abandoned infrastructure (RES-2-021) – Same 

as Alternative 4. 

Figure 10: Radiating effects from campsites lead to 

denuded riparian zones, as seen at this campsite at 

North Pines Campground. In all alternatives, campsites 

would be moved back at least 100' from the bed and 

banks of the river to provide a buffer in which a 

diversity of riparian vegetation can thrive.
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-33 

Valley Campgrounds: campsites near the river (RES-2-022) -Remove sites at Backpacker‘s Camp, 

Lower Pines and North Pines Campgrounds that are within 100 feet of the ordinary high water to 

restore 6.5 acres of riparian habitat. Remove asphalt, base rock, fill material; decompact soils, 

recontour and revegetate. Erect new fencing or adjust existing fencing to protect the riparian zone. 

Harden river access point at North Pines campground. Construct a hardened surface using pinned 

logs back filled with native gravel. Fence sensitive areas and brush layer to repair eroded riverbank 

(Figure 10). Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used 

over a period of up to eight weeks for two years. 

Revetment: free flowing condition (RES-2-051) – Same as Alternative 3. 

Stoneman Bridge: free flowing condition (RES-2-053) – Same as Alternative 4. 

Sugar Pine Bridge and Ahwahnee Bridge and Road Berm: free flowing condition (RES-2-052) – 

Remove the Sugar Pine Bridge and berm. At the Ahwahnee Bridge, heading south toward the Lower 

Pines campground, connect a trail and small bridge going over the cut-off channel. Additionally, reroute the multiple use trail to the north bank of the river. Manually cut pieces of the bridge into smaller 

sections. Remove bridges with heavy equipment (crane lifts sections or chunks). Pontoon rafts below 

the bridge would catch debris. All work from the banks would use the reach from an excavator to 

remove chunks of bridge. Footings would be removed with excavators from the bank. The removal 

would occur during low flow in late summer or early fall. No work would occur after Oct. 31 due to 

the potential for high water events occurring. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, 

and dump truck would be used. Work would occur during low flow in the summer or fall and take 

approximately three months. 

Concessioner stables to Happy Isles: pack stock trail (RES-2-143) – Same as Alternative 3. 

Camp 6: Water Quality, proximity to the River, and fill material within the 5-to 10-year 

floodplain (RES-2146) – Same as Alternative 4. 

Valley Meadows: Valley Loop Trail impacts through meadows (RES-2-005) – Construct 

boardwalks through sensitive wet meadow habitat in Slaughterhouse Meadow. Move 780 feet of the 

trail that runs through Bridalveil Meadow to the toe of the fill slope of Southside Drive. Heavy 

equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used over a period of up 

to eight weeks for two years. 

Ahwahnee Meadow oxbows: trail impacts (RES-2-003) – Same as Alternative 4. 

Former Yosemite Lodge cabins (Pine and Oak) area (RES-2-154) – Restore 10.9 acres of riparian 

ecosystem at the site of the former Yosemite Lodge units and cabins (area commonly known as the 

Oak and Pine cabins, which were removed after being damaged by the 1997 flood). Remove riprap 

from Yosemite Creek and plant willows along stream bank. Remove informal trails throughout the 

eastern end of the lodge near Yosemite Creek and formalize one trail through the area. Delineate one 

service road to the well house and parking. Remove excess service roads. Remove fill, decompact soils 

and plant riparian plant species. Heavy equipment including excavator, dozer, skid steer, loader, and 

dump truck would be used. 
APPENDIX E 

E-34 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

Segment 4 

Old El Portal: parking and development in valley oaks (RES-4-002) – Restore the rare floodplain 

community of valley oaks in Old El Portal through implementation of mitigation measures related to 

invasive species removal, overwatering, tree pruning, and prohibiting grading and parking in the 

dripline (see Appendix D). Also, create a valley oak recruitment area of 1acre in Old El Portal in the 

vicinity of the current Odger's bulk fuel storage area, including adjacent parking lots. Decompact soils, 

plant appropriate native understory plant species, and treat invasive plants. Prohibit new building 

construction within the oak recruitment area. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, 

loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur in the late summer or fall and take 

approximately one month. 

Segment 7 

Wawona Campground: campground activity near river (ONA-7-001) – Retains 83 sites and one 

group site. Remove 13 sites that are either within 100 feet of the river or in culturally sensitive areas. 

Wawona Stock Camp (RES-7-011) – Two stock use campground sites relocated from sensitive 

resource area to another more appropriate location near the Wawona Maintenance Yard. The sites 

will then be re-contoured, soil decompacted and area re-vegetated. Heavy equipment including 

excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur during low flow in 

the summer or fall and take approximately one month. 

Alternative 6 

As with Alternative 5, this alternative is characterized by having limited restoration within 100 feet of 

the river; removing campsites, informal trails, and non-essential roads from sensitive areas. It 

addresses free-flowing condition by removing approximately one mile of revetment and increasing 

channel complexity around the bridges through engineered solutions. The number of acres of riparian 

and meadow restoration is at least 170 acres, targeting the most sensitive areas. 

Segment 1 

Merced Lake Ranger Station Meadow: grazing (RES-1-002) – Same as Alternative 3. 

Segment 2 

Ahwahnee Meadow: Northside Drive and bike path impact hydrology and meadow extent 

(RES-2-004) – Same as Alternative 4. 

El Capitan Meadow: bisected by road, informal trails, conifer encroachment (RES-2-009) – 

Remove all informal trails from the meadow that incise, promote habitat fragmentation, or are located 

in sensitive and frequently inundated areas, and restore to natural condition. Use restoration fencing 

along northern perimeter of meadow and designate appropriate access points using boardwalks and 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-35 

viewing platforms. Selectively remove mature conifers that block views of El Capitan from the 

roadside. Equipment including skid steer would be used over a period of up to six weeks for two years. 

Fencing can occur any time of the year. 

Stoneman Meadow and Orchard parking lot: Road through meadow and parking lot (RES-2-

008) – Mitigate effects of the road through the meadow with culverts or other engineered solutions 

that allow passage of underground water. Remove roadside parking along Stoneman Meadow and 

restore the area to meadow conditions. Remove 1,350 cubic feet of fill, revegetate with native seed 

and/or transplanted native plants. Remove apple trees in Curry Orchard parking lot. Heavy equipment 

including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used over a period of up to eight 

weeks for two years in late summer and fall. 

Housekeeping Camp: riparian restoration and river access (RES-2-023) – Same as Alternative 5. 

Upper and Lower Rivers Campground: abandoned infrastructure (RES-2-021) – Same as 

Alternative 4. 

Valley Campgrounds: campsites near the river (RES-2-022) – Same as Alternative 5. 

Revetment: free flowing condition (RES-2-051) – An additional 348 feet of riprap south of the berm 

between Sugar Pine and Ahwahnee bridges would be removed and replaced with brush layering. 

Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used over a period 

of up to eight weeks in the fall during low flow. 

Stoneman Bridge: free flowing condition (RES-2-053) – Same as Alternative 4. 

Sugar Pine Bridge and Ahwahnee Bridge and Road Berm: free flowing condition (RES-2-052) – 

Improve riverbank condition at Sugar Pine and Ahwahnee Bridges by increasing channel complexity 

through construction of engineered log jams, strategic placement of large wood, removal of rip rap, 

and bioengineering of the riverbank. Reduce the width of the cut-off channel upstream of Sugar Pine 

bridge through a combination of fill, constructed log jams, and bioengineered bank stabilization. If 

subsequent monitoring of riparian condition reveals insufficient improvement (i.e. CRAM rating 

remains below 0.71) within 10 years of the implementation of these actions, more aggressive 

management action may be initiated, including the possible removal of Sugar Pine Bridge. Heavy 

equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump truck would be used over a period of up 

to eight weeks for two years during the fall low flow. 

Concessioner stables to Happy Isles: pack stock trail (RES-2-143) – Same as Alternative 3. 

Camp 6: Water Quality, proximity to the River, and fill material within the 5-to 10-year 

floodplain (RES-2146) – Same as Alternative 4. 

Valley Meadows: Valley Loop Trail impacts through meadows (RES-2-005) – Same as Alternative 5. 

Ahwahnee Meadow oxbows: trail impacts (RES-2-003) – Same as Alternative 4. 
APPENDIX E 

E-36 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

Segment 4 

Old El Portal: parking and development in valley oaks (RES-4-002) – Restore the rare floodplain 

community of valley oaks in Old El Portal through implementation of mitigation measures related to 

invasive species removal, overwatering, tree pruning, and prohibiting grading and parking in the 

dripline (see Appendix D). Also, create a valley oak recruitment area of 1 acre in Old El Portal in the 

vicinity of the current Odger's bulk fuel storage area, including adjacent parking lots. Decompact soils, 

plant appropriate native understory plant species, and treat invasive plants. Prohibit new building 

construction within the oak recruitment area. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, 

loader, and dump truck would be used. Work would occur in the late summer or fall and take 

approximately one month. 

Segment 7 

Wawona Campground: campground activity near river (ONA-7-001) – Same as Alternative 5. 

Wawona Stock Camp (RES-7-011) – Two stock use campground sites relocated from sensitive 

resource area to Wawona Stables. Heavy equipment including excavator, skid steer, loader, and dump 

truck would be used. Work would occur during low flow in the summer or fall and take approximately 

one month. 

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES 

Mitigations 

All ecological restoration work would follow the Mitigation Measures outlined in Appendix C. 

Restoration work in Wilderness 

For restoration needs in designated Wilderness, a 

minimum requirement analysis would be 

completed and the appropriate techniques 

selected. 

Fencing 

Fencing has proven to be effective at rerouting 

pedestrian traffic to appropriate river access 

points and allowing colonization of denuded 

areas with riparian plant species which then 

stabilizes the river bank from further erosion 

(Figure 11). Yosemite has used different fencing Figure 11: Frequently flooded area at housekeeping 

camp.
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-37 

styles—most often split rail zigzag and post and rail (Figure 12). Log and block fencing has also been 

introduced as a more sustainable option in areas where plowing and vehicles frequently cause damage 

to fencing (Figure 13). Fencing has also demonstrated its effectiveness in supporting restoration efforts 

in meadow environments. Fencing has been used to delineate appropriate trails and to close off 

sensitive sections of meadows in order to deter trampling of vegetation and the formation of informal 

trails. 

Figure 12: Before and after protective fencing placement and revegetation at Housekeeping 

camp. 

Figure13: Post and rail fencing (Left) and log and block fencing (right). 

Asphalt Removal 

Asphalt surface is broken using heavy equipment. Asphalt is then loaded into dump trucks using a 

loader and moved off site. Small asphalt pieces may be manually collected and removed. 

Fill Removal & Recontouring 

The topography at some meadow, wetland, and floodplain sites has been made uniform through the 

import of fill material or by grading or flattening contours of the landform. To re-establish contours or 

increase topographic heterogeneity, an excavator or dozer may be used to excavate depressions, cut-off 

channels, and oxbows. On steep riverbanks, an excavator or dozer may push soils and material down the 
APPENDIX E 

E-38 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

slope of the bank to create a gentler slope which increases revegetation success. Whenever possible, 

native fill is used from the restoration site. In meadows with drainage ditches and associated berms, the 

ditches would be contoured and leveled using fill material already present in associated berms. 

Soil Decompaction 

Roads, parking, campsites and trails (formal or informal) may have highly compacted soils that are 

hydrophobic and prevent water from percolating into the soil and alter surface flow patterns. In the 

field, park staff determines areas of heavy soil compaction and either break up the soils manually using 

shovels or rakes or with heavy equipment that can support ripping tines such as excavators, skid steer 

and dozers. Small pockets of fill may be blended into the soil as decompaction occurs with an 

excavator or dozer with winged rippers. Biologists regularly monitor informal trailing extent and 

distribution in meadows and apply condition ratings to all informal trails. These ratings reflect the 

degree to which specific trails have ecological impacts including: bare ground, vegetation condition, 

and soil compaction. This information would assist restoration workers in identifying areas requiring 

soil decompaction to promote plant recovery. 

Riprap Removal 

Several park restoration projects have involved the removal of riprap and restoration of healthy 

riparian vegetation (Figure 13). Riprap is removed using a track-mounted excavator. The operator 

picks up the boulders with the bucket of the excavator and either stockpiles the rocks on the terrace, 

or loads directly into a dump truck. After riprap is removed the bank may be recontoured to facilitate 

plant establishment. 

Bioengineering Techniques 

Bioengineering techniques commonly used for riverbank stabilization and restoration include willow 

hydrodrilling, brush layering, and wood incorporation (Figure 14). Willow wattles and anchoring logs 

may be used to accrete sediment. To propagate willow, cuttings are taken from established plants and 

placed deeply into the soil to promote regeneration and to prevent them from washing away during 

high water events. Rocky or compacted riverbanks are most effectively and efficiently planted using a 

hydraulic excavator. In fine sediment, a hydro-drill (a pump with a high-powered stream of water) can 

create deep holes into which cuttings are placed. Willows may also be bundled into wattles and 

partially buried and anchored along riverbanks. Large wood may also be use to provide structure when 

repairing highly eroded riverbanks or after riprap removal. One objective of bioengineering is to 

decrease flow velocities by increasing roughness so that river sediment is captured over time, slowly 

rebuilding the banks. 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-39 

Figure 14: Before (left) and after (right) riverbank restoration through riprap removal and 

revegetation at the former Lower Rivers Campground. Riparian vegetation thrives on the 

riverbank. 

Revegetation Methods 

In the riparian zone, sedges, rushes and willow and cottonwood are desirable species for planting. 

Restoration staff collect pole cuttings (for vertical planting using the hydrodrill, Figure 15) from 

willows and cottonwoods along the Merced River using loppers; targeting straight branches 5-6’ long 

and approximately 1” in diameter. Horizontal planting (such as that done with an excavator or 

backhoe) is another revegetation method, as well as the primary planting method for bioengineering. 

This method is utilized at sites with greater disturbance where riverbank integrity and existing root 

mass does not exist. Overall, willows have a high survival rate although some species do not establish 

as readily as others. 

Figure 15: Yosemite restoration staff have employed bioengineering techniques in past park 

projects including Brush layering with willows (left). Restoration workers insert live willow cuttings 

with the aid of a hydrodrill to revegetate this riverbank (right). 
APPENDIX E 

E-40 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

On riverbank terraces, species matching the surrounding native flora would be planted. Watering or 

irrigation is part of post-planting maintenance for 3 years as it increases plant survival, especially on 

higher and drier sites such as terraces. Vegetation along the riverbanks plays an important role in flow 

attenuation and sediment capture during flood events. Native riparian vegetation is also naturally 

recruited on exposed sediment. Nursery-grown plants would be propagated from local genetic stock. 

Plants would be salvaged prior to ground disturbance and replanted. 

In meadow environments, park biologists use a variety of techniques for ecological restoration. Imported 

fill material is removed from meadows using heavy equipment such as an excavator, loader, and dump 

truck. When removing informal trails, restoration workers would decompact soils, recontour the area to 

remove the linear feature and spread locally gathered native speed to promote plant establishment. 

Sometimes, vegetation plugs are salvaged using an excavator and skid steer and replanted in the 

disturbed areas. Mulching to promote revegetation and reduce erosion would be used as necessary. Bare 

areas would be revegetated with native plants grown from locally collected seed. Erosion control 

blankets and wattles are sometimes needed to control erosion until vegetation becomes established. 

Large Wood Incorporation 

To restore riverbanks that have receded due to unnatural bank erosion, large wood may be 

incorporated into riverbanks. Large logs are placed strategically to limit scour and promote accretion 

and may or may not be anchored. For example, logs may be placed into a trench dug in the terrace to 

anchor it. Cabling could also be used to anchor wood to the shore. 

These techniques are similar to what has been used in Yosemite Valley riverbank restoration projects 

in the past. For example, incorporation of large wood was successfully used in the 1995 Housekeeping 

Camp Restoration, along with riprap removal, brush layering and fencing. 

Opportunistic Large Woody Debris Addition through Hazard Tree Mitigation 

Potentially hazardous trees are sometimes felled along the river for safety reasons. To assist in the 

riverine habitat recovery, these hazard trees can be purposefully felled into the river. Trees are felled 

using both excavators and forestry loaders with winch. This retention of the root wad provides needed 

weight to help anchor the tree to the shore. Felled trees add biomass, slow water flow, create structural 

and microclimatic diversity, and provide shade for riparian organisms. 

Constructed Log Jams 

Constructed log jams (CLJs) increase channel complexity, capture sediment, mitigate channel 

widening and provide aquatic habitat. CLJs are constructed of 10-20 logs, often with their root wads 

intact, 12” or greater in diameter. The composite structure can be 30-150’ long and 10-30’ wide with a 

height of 8 feet. Thus, an CLJ may occupy an area of 33 500 square yards with volumes ranging from 

90 – 1,300 cubic yards. The particular size of a given CLJ depends on the objective (deflecting flow 

away from a vulnerable riverbank to facilitating bar formation) and its location in the river. CLJs are 
Ecological Restoration Actions within the 

Merced River Wild and Scenic River Corridor 

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS E-41 

constructed in the river channel and anchored by burying ends of logs in sediment. CLJs would be 

designed to look natural, without straight-cut edges and with root wads remaining. Planting of riparian 

vegetation on the CLJ further enhances the natural aesthetic (Figure 16). 

Figure 16: Natural wood loading in the Merced River (left) and an engineered log jam (right, photo 

courtesy of A.P. Brooks). 

Boardwalks 

Boardwalks have proven to be a low-impact way of providing access to wet, sensitive and highly visited 

areas that are susceptible to trampling (Figure 17). Boardwalks are often used in restoration as 

alternative to complete closures of sensitive habitats. Boardwalks are an effective way to promote sheet 

flow, protect native vegetation, and reduce the potential vectors for the spread of non-native species, 

while allowing visitors to experience the flora and fauna of these unique environments. In Yosemite, 

boardwalks have been successful in allowing visitation of sensitive meadows and can provide access 

and throughways in locations where current trails are frequently inundated with water, cause severe 

damage to plants and soils, and fragment sensitive vegetation and wildlife communities. 

Figure 17: Trails through frequently inundated wet meadows, such as in cook's meadow 

pre-restoration (left), cause periperal vegetation trampling and soil compaction and make 

access difficult. A boardwalk installed in 2005 allows for visitor access into the meadow 

environment and protects the meadow soils and hydrology. 
APPENDIX E 

E-42 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan / DEIS

REFERENCES 

Cooper, D. J. and E. C. Wolf 

2008 Yosemite Valley: Hydrologic Regime, Soils, Pre-Settlement Vegetation, Disturbance, 

and Concepts for Restoration. Colorado State University. 

Falk, D. A., M. A. Palmer, and J. B. Zedler 

2006 Foundations of Restoration Ecology. Island pr. 

Madej, M. A., W. E. Weaver, and D. K. Hagans 

1991 Analysis of Bank Erosion on the Merced River, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National 

Park, USA. Pages 235-250 Environmental Management. Pacific Watershed Associates, 

Arcata, California. 

Mitsch, W. and J. Gosselink 

2007 Wetlands. 4th Edition. Wiley, New York. 

SER International Science Policy Working Group 

2004 The SER International Primer on Ecological Restoration. Society for Ecological 

Restoration International Tucson, Arizona. 
Housekeeping 

Camp Footbridge

Northside Drive

Curry 

Village

Lower Pines

Campground

North Pines

Campground

Upper Pines

Campground

Clark's

Bridge

Tenaya

Bridge

Southside Drive

The Ahwahnee Backpackers

Campground

Stoneman

Bridge

Happy Isles Bridge

Merced River

Royal Arches

Meadow

Ahwahnee

Meadow

Stoneman

Meadow

Concessioner

Stables

Tennis Court

Former Upper and Lower

River Campground Area

Huff

House

Boys Town

Ahwahnee

Parking

Wilderness

Parking

Tenaya Creek

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

ALTERNATIVE 2

CURRY VILLAGE AND CAMPGROUNDS

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.25 Miles
Merced River

Merced Lake

Ranger Station

Merced

Lake

Merced Lake

High Sierra Camp

Merced Lake

Backpackers

Camping Area

Merced Lake

East Meadow

0 0.1 Miles

ALTERNATIVE 2

MERCED LAKE HIGH SIERRA CAMP

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking_Labels selection

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.1 Miles
Old El Portal

Abbieville

Trailer

Village

Rancheria

Flat

NPS Warehouse &

Administrative

Complex

Foresta Road

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST

STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST

National Park Boundary

Greenemeyer

Sand Pit

Hi g h way 140

Hwy. 140 

Bridge

ALTERNATIVE 2

EL PORTAL

Merced River

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.4 Miles
Wawona

Maintenance

Area

Wawona Hotel

Wawona Golf

Course

Wawona Store 

Picnic Area

South Fork Picnic Area

Wawona

Campground

Big

Creek

Sout h Fork Merced River

Wawona

Stables

ALTERNATIVE 2

WAWONA

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campgrounds

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.1 0.2 Miles
El Capitan

Meadow

Sentinel

Beach

El Capitan 

Bridge

Cathedral

Beach

Swinging

Bridge

Camp 4 Campground

Sout hside Drive

Northside Drive

Merced River

Leidig 

Meadow

Slaughterhouse

Meadow

Sentinel

Rock

Lower Brother

Split Pinnacle

Cathedral Rocks

ALTERNATIVE 2

WEST YOSEMITE VALLEY

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Buildings

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.5 Miles
Southside

Drive

Camp 4 

Campground

Yosemite

Lodge

Sentinel Meadow

Merced River

Leidig

Meadow

Leidig

Meadow

Cook's

Meadow

Northside

Drive

Residence 1

ALTERNATIVE 2

YOSEMITE LODGE AND CAMP 4

3

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan

Restoration Elements

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Buildings

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate 0 500 Feet
d

River

hside

Drive

Merced River

Northside Drive

Ahwahnee Road

Southside Drive

Yosemite Creek

Bridge

Cook's Meadow

Ahwahnee

Meadow

Lost Arrow

Moran Point

Church Bowl

Picnic Area

Sentinel Bridge

Housekeeping

Bridge

Superintendent's

Bridge

Housekeeping Camp

Yosemite Village Day-Use 

Parking Area

Village Store Complex

ALTERNATIVE 2

YOSEMITE VILLAGE AND HOUSEKEEPING CAMP

Yosemite Village

Government 

Utility

Building

Sentinel Drive

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campgrounds

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.25 Miles
Housekeeping 

Camp Footbridge

Northside Drive

Curry 

Village

Lower Pines

Campground

North Pines

Campground

Upper Pines

Campground

Clark's

Bridge

Tenaya

Bridge

Southside Drive

The Ahwahnee Backpackers

Campground

Stoneman

Bridge

Happy Isles Bridge

Merced River

Royal Arches

Meadow

Ahwahnee

Meadow

Stoneman

Meadow

Concessioner

Stables

Tennis Court

Former Upper and Lower

River Campground Area

Huff

House

Boys Town

Ahwahnee

Parking

Wilderness

Parking

Tenaya Creek

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

ALTERNATIVE 3

CURRY VILLAGE AND CAMPGROUNDS

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.25 Miles
Merced River

Merced Lake

Ranger Station

Merced

Lake

Merced Lake

High Sierra Camp

Merced Lake

Backpackers

Camping Area

Merced Lake

East Meadow

0 0.1 Miles

ALTERNATIVE 3

MERCED LAKE HIGH SIERRA CAMP

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking_Labels selection

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.1 Miles
Old El Portal

Abbieville

Trailer

Village

Rancheria

Flat

NPS Warehouse &

Administrative

Complex

Foresta Road

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST

STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST

National Park Boundary

Greenemeyer

Sand Pit

Hi g h way 140

Hwy. 140 

Bridge

ALTERNATIVE 3

EL PORTAL

Merced River

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.4 Miles
Wawona

Maintenance

Area

Wawona Hotel

Wawona Golf

Course

Wawona Store 

Picnic Area

South Fork Picnic Area

Wawona

Campground

Big

Creek

Sout h Fork Merced River

Wawona

Stables

ALTERNATIVE 3

WAWONA

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campgrounds

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.1 0.2 Miles
El Capitan

Meadow

Sentinel

Beach

El Capitan 

Bridge

Cathedral

Beach

Swinging

Bridge

Camp 4 Campground

Sout hside Drive

Northside Drive

Merced River

Leidig 

Meadow

Slaughterhouse

Meadow

Sentinel

Rock

Lower Brother

Split Pinnacle

Cathedral Rocks

ALTERNATIVE 3

WEST YOSEMITE VALLEY

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Buildings

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.5 Miles
Southside

Drive

Camp 4 

Campground

Yosemite

Lodge

Sentinel Meadow

Merced River

Leidig

Meadow

Leidig

Meadow

Cook's

Meadow

Northside

Drive

Residence 1

ALTERNATIVE 3

YOSEMITE LODGE AND CAMP 4

3

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan

Restoration Elements

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Buildings

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate 0 500 Feet
d

River

hside

Drive

Merced River

Northside Drive

Ahwahnee Road

Southside Drive

Yosemite Creek

Bridge

Cook's Meadow

Ahwahnee

Meadow

Lost Arrow

Moran Point

Church Bowl

Picnic Area

Sentinel Bridge

Housekeeping

Bridge

Superintendent's

Bridge

Housekeeping Camp

Yosemite Village Day-Use 

Parking Area

Village Store Complex

ALTERNATIVE 3

YOSEMITE VILLAGE AND HOUSEKEEPING CAMP

Yosemite Village

Government 

Utility

Building

Sentinel Drive

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campgrounds

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.25 Miles
Housekeeping 

Camp Footbridge

Northside Drive

Curry 

Village

Lower Pines

Campground

North Pines

Campground

Upper Pines

Campground

Clark's

Bridge

Tenaya

Bridge

Southside Drive

The Ahwahnee Backpackers

Campground

Stoneman

Bridge

Happy Isles Bridge

Merced River

Royal Arches

Meadow

Ahwahnee

Meadow

Stoneman

Meadow

Concessioner

Stables

Tennis Court

Upper and Lower

River Campground Area

Huff

House

Boys Town

Ahwahnee

Parking

Wilderness

Parking

Tenaya Creek

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

ALTERNATIVE 4

CURRY VILLAGE AND CAMPGROUNDS

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.25 Miles
Merced River

Merced Lake

Ranger Station

Merced

Lake

Merced Lake

High Sierra Camp

Merced Lake

Backpackers

Camping Area

Merced Lake

East Meadow

0 0.1 Miles

ALTERNATIVE 4

MERCED LAKE HIGH SIERRA CAMP

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking_Labels selection

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.1 Miles
Old El Portal

Abbieville

Trailer

Village

Rancheria

Flat

NPS Warehouse &

Administrative

Complex

Foresta Road

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST

STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST

National Park Boundary

Greenemeyer

Sand Pit

Hi g h way 140

Hwy. 140 

Bridge

ALTERNATIVE 4

EL PORTAL

Merced River

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.4 Miles
Wawona

Maintenance

Area

Wawona Hotel

Wawona Golf

Course

Wawona Store 

Picnic Area

South Fork Picnic Area

Wawona

Campground

Big

Creek

Sout h Fork Merced River

Wawona

Stables

ALTERNATIVE 4

WAWONA

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campgrounds

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.1 0.2 Miles
El Capitan

Meadow

Sentinel

Beach

El Capitan 

Bridge

Cathedral

Beach

Swinging

Bridge

Camp 4 Campground

Sout hside Drive

Northside Drive

Merced River

Leidig 

Meadow

Slaughterhouse

Meadow

Sentinel

Rock

Lower Brother

Split Pinnacle

Cathedral Rocks

ALTERNATIVE 4

WEST YOSEMITE VALLEY

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Buildings

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.5 Miles
Southside

Drive

Camp 4 

Campground

Yosemite

Lodge

Sentinel Meadow

Merced River

Leidig

Meadow

Leidig

Meadow

Cook's

Meadow

Northside

Drive

Residence 1

ALTERNATIVE 4

YOSEMITE LODGE AND CAMP 4

3

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan

Restoration Elements

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Buildings

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate 0 500 Feet
d

River

hside

Drive

Merced River

Northside Drive

Ahwahnee Road

Southside Drive

Yosemite Creek

Bridge

Cook's Meadow

Ahwahnee

Meadow

Lost Arrow

Moran Point

Church Bowl

Picnic Area

Sentinel Bridge

Housekeeping

Bridge

Superintendent's

Bridge

Housekeeping Camp

Yosemite Village Day-Use 

Parking Area

Village Store Complex

ALTERNATIVE 4

YOSEMITE VILLAGE AND HOUSEKEEPING CAMP

Yosemite Village

Government 

Utility

Building

Sentinel Drive

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campgrounds

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.25 Miles
Housekeeping 

Camp Footbridge

Northside Drive

Curry 

Village

Lower Pines

Campground

North Pines

Campground

Upper Pines

Campground

Clark's

Bridge

Tenaya

Bridge

Southside Drive

The Ahwahnee Backpackers

Campground

Stoneman

Bridge

Happy Isles Bridge

Merced River

Royal Arches

Meadow

Ahwahnee

Meadow

Stoneman

Meadow

Concessioner

Stables

Tennis Court

Upper and Lower

River Campground Area

Huff

House

Boys Town

Ahwahnee

Parking

Wilderness

Parking

Tenaya Creek

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

ALTERNATIVE 5

CURRY VILLAGE AND CAMPGROUNDS

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.25 Miles
Merced River

Merced Lake

Ranger Station

Merced

Lake

Merced Lake

High Sierra Camp

Merced Lake

Backpackers

Camping Area

Merced Lake

East Meadow

0 0.1 Miles

ALTERNATIVE 5

MERCED LAKE HIGH SIERRA CAMP

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking_Labels selection

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.1 Miles
Old El Portal

Abbieville

Trailer

Village

Rancheria

Flat

NPS Warehouse &

Administrative

Complex

Foresta Road

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST

STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST

National Park Boundary

Greenemeyer

Sand Pit

Hi g h way 140

Hwy. 140 

Bridge

ALTERNATIVE 5

EL PORTAL

Merced River

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.4 Miles
Wawona

Maintenance

Area

Wawona Hotel

Wawona Golf

Course

Wawona Store 

Picnic Area

South Fork Picnic Area

Wawona

Campground

Big

Creek

Sout h Fork Merced River

Wawona

Stables

ALTERNATIVE 5

WAWONA

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campgrounds

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.1 0.2 Miles
El Capitan

Meadow

Sentinel

Beach

El Capitan 

Bridge

Cathedral

Beach

Swinging

Bridge

Camp 4 Campground

Sout hside Drive

Northside Drive

Merced River

Leidig 

Meadow

Slaughterhouse

Meadow

Sentinel

Rock

Lower Brother

Split Pinnacle

Cathedral Rocks

ALTERNATIVE 5

WEST YOSEMITE VALLEY

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Buildings

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.5 Miles
Southside

Drive

Camp 4 

Campground

Yosemite

Lodge

Sentinel Meadow

Merced River

Leidig

Meadow

Leidig

Meadow

Cook's

Meadow

Northside

Drive

Residence 1

ALTERNATIVE 5

YOSEMITE LODGE AND CAMP 4

3

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan

Restoration Elements

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Buildings

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate 0 500 Feet
d

River

hside

Drive

Merced River

Northside Drive

Ahwahnee Road

Southside Drive

Yosemite Creek

Bridge

Cook's Meadow

Ahwahnee

Meadow

Lost Arrow

Moran Point

Church Bowl

Picnic Area

Sentinel Bridge

Housekeeping

Bridge

Superintendent's

Bridge

Housekeeping Camp

Yosemite Village Day-Use 

Parking Area

Village Store Complex

ALTERNATIVE 5

YOSEMITE VILLAGE AND HOUSEKEEPING CAMP

Yosemite Village

Government 

Utility

Building

Sentinel Drive

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campgrounds

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.25 Miles
Housekeeping 

Camp Footbridge

Northside Drive

Curry 

Village

Lower Pines

Campground

North Pines

Campground

Upper Pines

Campground

Clark's

Bridge

Tenaya

Bridge

Southside Drive

The Ahwahnee Backpackers

Campground

Stoneman

Bridge

Happy Isles Bridge

Merced River

Royal Arches

Meadow

Ahwahnee

Meadow

Stoneman

Meadow

Concessioner

Stables

Tennis Court

Upper and Lower

River Campground Area

Huff

House

Boys Town

Ahwahnee

Parking

Wilderness

Parking

Tenaya Creek

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

ALTERNATIVE 6

CURRY VILLAGE AND CAMPGROUNDS

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.25 Miles
Merced River

Merced Lake

Ranger Station

Merced

Lake

Merced Lake

High Sierra Camp

Merced Lake

Backpackers

Camping Area

Merced Lake

East Meadow

0 0.1 Miles

ALTERNATIVE 6

MERCED LAKE HIGH SIERRA CAMP

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking_Labels selection

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.1 Miles
Old El Portal

Abbieville

Trailer

Village

Rancheria

Flat

NPS Warehouse &

Administrative

Complex

Foresta Road

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST

STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST

National Park Boundary

Greenemeyer

Sand Pit

Hi g h way 140

Hwy. 140 

Bridge

ALTERNATIVE 6

EL PORTAL

Merced River

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.4 Miles
Wawona

Maintenance

Area

Wawona Hotel

Wawona Golf

Course

Wawona Store 

Picnic Area

South Fork Picnic Area

Wawona

Campground

Big

Creek

Sout h Fork Merced River

Wawona

Stables

ALTERNATIVE 6

WAWONA

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campgrounds

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.1 0.2 Miles
El Capitan

Meadow

Sentinel

Beach

El Capitan 

Bridge

Cathedral

Beach

Swinging

Bridge

Camp 4 Campground

Sout hside Drive

Northside Drive

Merced River

Leidig 

Meadow

Slaughterhouse

Meadow

Sentinel

Rock

Lower Brother

Split Pinnacle

Cathedral Rocks

ALTERNATIVE 6

WEST YOSEMITE VALLEY

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Buildings

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.5 Miles
Southside

Drive

Camp 4 

Campground

Yosemite

Lodge

Sentinel Meadow

Merced River

Leidig

Meadow

Leidig

Meadow

Cook's

Meadow

Northside

Drive

Residence 1

ALTERNATIVE 6

YOSEMITE LODGE AND CAMP 4

3

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan

Restoration Elements

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Buildings

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate 0 500 Feet
d

River

hside

Drive

Merced River

Northside Drive

Ahwahnee Road

Southside Drive

Yosemite Creek

Bridge

Cook's Meadow

Ahwahnee

Meadow

Lost Arrow

Moran Point

Church Bowl

Picnic Area

Sentinel Bridge

Housekeeping

Bridge

Superintendent's

Bridge

Housekeeping Camp

Yosemite Village Day-Use 

Parking Area

Village Store Complex

ALTERNATIVE 6

YOSEMITE VILLAGE AND HOUSEKEEPING CAMP

Yosemite Village

Government 

Utility

Building

Sentinel Drive

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campgrounds

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.25 Miles
Housekeeping 

Camp Footbridge

Northside Drive

Curry 

Village

Lower Pines

Campground

North Pines

Campground

Upper Pines

Campground

Clark's

Bridge

Tenaya

Bridge

Southside Drive

The Ahwahnee Backpackers

Campground

Stoneman

Bridge

Happy Isles Bridge

Merced River

Royal Arches

Meadow

Ahwahnee

Meadow

Stoneman

Meadow

Concessioner

Stables

Tennis Court

Former Upper and Lower

River Campground Area

Huff

House

Boys Town

Ahwahnee

Parking

Wilderness

Parking

Tenaya Creek

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

ACTIONS COMMON TO ALL

CURRY VILLAGE AND CAMPGROUNDS

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.25 Miles
Merced River

Merced Lake

Ranger Station

Merced

Lake

Merced Lake

High Sierra Camp

Merced Lake

Backpackers

Camping Area

Merced Lake

East Meadow

0 0.1 Miles

ACTIONS COMMON TO ALL

MERCED LAKE HIGH SIERRA CAMP

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking_Labels selection

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.1 Miles
Old El Portal

Abbieville

Trailer

Village

Rancheria

Flat

NPS Warehouse &

Administrative

Complex

Foresta Road

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST

STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST

National Park Boundary

Greenemeyer

Sand Pit

Hi g h way 140

Hwy. 140 

Bridge

ACTIONS COMMON TO ALL

EL PORTAL

Merced River

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.4 Miles
Wawona

Maintenance

Area

Wawona Hotel

Wawona Golf

Course

Wawona Store 

Picnic Area

South Fork Picnic Area

Wawona

Campground

Big

Creek

Sout h Fork Merced River

Wawona

Stables

ACTIONS COMMON TO ALL

WAWONA

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campgrounds

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.1 0.2 Miles
El Capitan

Meadow

Sentinel

Beach

El Capitan 

Bridge

Cathedral

Beach

Swinging

Bridge

Camp 4 Campground

Sout hside Drive

Northside Drive

Merced River

Leidig 

Meadow

Slaughterhouse

Meadow

Sentinel

Rock

Lower Brother

Split Pinnacle

Cathedral Rocks

ACTIONS COMMON TO ALL

WEST YOSEMITE VALLEY

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Buildings

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.5 Miles
Southside

Drive

Camp 4 

Campground

Yosemite

Lodge

Sentinel Meadow

Merced River

Leidig

Meadow

Leidig

Meadow

Cook's

Meadow

Northside

Drive

Residence 1

ACTIONS COMMON TO ALL

YOSEMITE LODGE AND CAMP 4

3

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan

Restoration Elements

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campground

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Buildings

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate 0 500 Feet
d

River

hside

Drive

Merced River

Northside Drive

Ahwahnee Road

Southside Drive

Yosemite Creek

Bridge

Cook's Meadow

Ahwahnee

Meadow

Lost Arrow

Moran Point

Church Bowl

Picnic Area

Sentinel Bridge

Housekeeping

Bridge

Superintendent's

Bridge

Housekeeping Camp

Yosemite Village Day-Use 

Parking Area

Village Store Complex

ACTIONS COMMON TO ALL

YOSEMITE VILLAGE AND HOUSEKEEPING CAMP

Yosemite Village

Government 

Utility

Building

Sentinel Drive

Yosemite National Park

California

Merced River Plan Restoration Elements National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Legend

Campgrounds

Picnic Area

Parking

Trailhead

Boating put in or take out

Designated River Access

Road bridge

Footbridge

Lakes/Streams

Bridge Removal

Dump Station Removal

Infrastructure Removal

Constructed Log Jam/Bioengineer

Constructed Log Jam

New dump station

Black Oak Restoration

Floodplain and Riparian Restoration

Meadow Restoration

Potential Meadow and Upland Restoration

Riparian Restoration

Wilderness Restoration

Surfaced Areas

Building

Trails

New fencing

Repair headcut

Remove pipe

Delineate and/or reduce parking footprint

Roadside parking removal

New Boardwalk

New Trail/Trail reroute

Trail removal

New Road

Road mitigation

Brush layer

Revegetate

Fill ditch

Fill removal

Road removal

Remove parking

Remove informal trail

Retain riprap

Keep riprap and plant

Remove riprap and brushlayer

Remove riprap and incorporate large wood

Remove riprap and revegetate

0 0.25 Miles