Opportunities and challenges for restoration of the Merced River through Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, USA

A century of human disturbances along the Merced River in Yosemite National Park has created long-term consequences for riverine conditions, hindering natural recovery through passive restoration. Key findings indicate that reduced sediment influx—due to historical gravel mining and altered fluvial processes—and intensive visitor use have decoupled the river from its floodplain, damaged riparian zones, and distorted channel dynamics. Climate change may further amplify these challenges by both diminishing fluvial processes and increasing sediment export rates. The study integrates geomorphic, hydrological, and human-impact analyses to highlight the complex interplay of natural and anthropogenic factors shaping river restoration opportunities in this iconic landscape.

Booth, D. B., Ross‐Smith, K., Haddon, E. K., Dunne, T., Larsen, E. W., Roche, J. W., Stock, G. M., & Mahacek, V. (2020). Opportunities and challenges for restoration of the Merced River through Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, USA. River Research and Applications, 36(9), 1803–1816. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.3704