The Tuolumne River Plan is in review and should be completed in 2008. When we hike Half Dome, we cross the Merced River and unless we travel up north we rarely see it. To see the actual Tuolumne River, you have to do some hiking, park along the Tioga Road, or drive to Hetch Hetchy to see the huge lake formed by the O’Shaugnessy Dam. In an attempt to balance the established policies of dredging and damming rivers for water supply, power generation, etc. , the US Congress in 1968 passed the Wild & Scenic River Act (WSRA). This is a great leap forward in protecting rivers. The Act intended to protect the natural and cultural values for “free-flowing” rivers. About 179 rivers in the country are thus protected. For the Tuolumne, 83 miles are under oversight. 54 of those miles are within Yosemite National Park. This includes the Dana and Lyell forks that approach from the east of the meadows. The 8-mile section from the dam eastward is technically omitted. This is a fine point of the act focused on the words, “Free-flowing.” The reservoir is static, thus the exception. Keep this in mind when you read the Tuolumne River Plan. Strange but true.
*Carpe Diem Experience–Rick Deutsch–www.HikeHalfDome.com*