Merced

6) Briceburg to Bagby

Difficulty	IV
Length	13.8 mi
Avg Gradient	20 fpm
Gauge	Merced River Near Briceburg
Reach Info Last Updated	February 25, 2015

Projects

Merced Wild and Scenic River

The headwaters of the Wild and Scenic Merced River begin in the iconic Yosemite National Park. The river pools and cascades through the stunning scenic landscape — glaciated peaks, lakes and alpine and subalpine meadows — to McClure Reservoir, created by New Exchequer Dam. The South Fork and mainstem [...]Read More

River Description

This section of the Merced is usually done as a continuation of the upstream 5) Redbud to Briceburg section. However, if continuing all the way to Bagby, the logistics get very different. Instead of a fine highway along the whole length, there is only a dusty gravel road for part of the ways below Briceburg. There is a long and big Quarter Mile Rapid, followed immediately by a big portage at North Fork Falls. Then there are easy rapids leading into flat water paddling on Lake McClure. Shuttle requires driving up highway 140 into Mariposa, then down highway 49 to Bagby Recreation Area on Lake McLure.

BRICEBURG TO RAILROAD FLAT, the end of road access from upstream

This section is very different from the Merced River upstream of this point. It still has continuous road access, but on a dirt road along the river right side. The banks are steeper with more short rocky faces, the channel is narrower, and the rapids more pool-and-drop style than the long continuous boulder fields upstream. It stays more enjoyably paddle-able at the lowest flows.

The first mile and a half or so are relatively flat, with only a couple of constrictions and/or turns forming easy (class 2+/-?) rapids. Around this point, you can see some large metal plates in the right(road) bank; on the road, there may be some large metal plates visible depending upon how much dirt is around. This is the siphon/pump station that provides the town of Mariposa with its municipal water supply, and also the site and reason for the flow gauge 'below Briceburg.' There is a good beach here at low/moderate flows.

Below this point, the river starts to accelerate until it reaches a couple of class 3 rapids close to McCabe Flat. If not careful, the first of two class 4 rapids, 'Split Rock', can sneak up on the unwary. At low/moderate flows, this shouldn't be a problem as the route is pretty

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River Features

Briceburg

Distance: -95 mi

There is a big parking area with toilets. Carry boats over bedrock to the river. There is a BLM visitor center in the old Briceburg buildings. The bridge is just downstream and makes an obvious landmark.

North Fork Falls

Class: VIDistance: -84.5 mi

Portage

Hazard

Mandatory Portage on River Right:

300 yards past the end of Quarter Mile is an impassible Class 6 called North Fork Falls. The North Fork of the Merced joins the Main Merced just below. At the base of the falls, there are several very large flat and blocky boulders. Much of the river flows UNDERNEATH these BOULDERS! If there is even the slightest chance of missing this mandatory portage, don't boat the rapids above it!

At North Fork Falls, there is a pipe skid rig up the right side for rafter use.

Proposed Max Reservoir Elevation

Distance: -84.3 mi

Hazard

House Bill HR 869, submitted in 2011 will amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to allow filling McClure Reservoir to an elevation of 877 feet. This will extend the reservoir into the Wild section and past the FERC project boundary.

Bagby Recreation Area - Shepard's Point

Distance: -80.15 mi

Take Out

Bagby Recreation Area is operated by Merced Irrigation District. There is a $7 per vehicle day use fee.