Glacial retreat story on KQED's California Report

KQED reporter Sasha Khokha hiked to Yosemite's Dana Glacier in the Upper Tuolumne River watershed to discuss climate change and its effects across the Sierra Nevada Range with Hassan Basagic of Portland State University. The story includes an interview with Greg Stock, Yosemite National Park Geologist. Listen to the "shrinking glaciers" story on KQED.

Lyell Glacier story in the Sacramento Bee

Tom Knudson writes about a recent Yosemite Association hike to the Lyell Glacier in the Upper Tuolumne River watershed and the return of 81-year-old Hal Klieforth to the glacier after first visiting it 58 years ago. Read the story and view video and maps at the Sacramento Bee.

May 2008 O'Shaughnessy Dam experimental flood

In late May 2008, the SFPUC and Yosemite National Park conducted an experimental flood on the Upper Tuolumne River to test ideas about the role snowmelt runoff played in supporting the Poopenaut Valley ecosystem in Yosemite National Park before O'Shaughnessy Dam was built. Information gathered by project scientists monitoring the flood will help in developing ecological goals for water releases to support the unique wetlands and ponds in the Poopenaut Valley.

To help document the effects of the experimental flood on the Poopenaut Valley, the project team utilized time lapse photography. The three videos we've included here were taken on the day of peak flooding in the valley.

Valley overview

North Pond "continental divide"

South meadow

Initial report on river ecosystem conditions and recommended monitoring actions available

In April 2007, SFPUC consultants McBain & Trush produced an initial report that provides a description of the Upper Tuolumne River ecosystem and recommends monitoring actions needed to improve understanding of the effects of the Hetch Hetchy Project on river and riparian ecosystem function.

Description of River Ecosystem and Recommended Monitoring Actions (PDF | 28MB)