Bear Creek Cleanup - Fall 2025

In March of 2023, Bear Creek flooded, taking with it tons of debris. While much has been cleaned up since then, residents tell us that Bear Creek could use some love. Photo by Steve Bumgardner

THANKS to input from the Midpines community, plans are taking shape for a Bear Creek cleanup in fall 2025. As a tributary of the Merced Wild and Scenic River, this waterway is important to the health of the watershed. When an atmospheric river careened through the Yosemite region in March 2023, Bear Creek was inundated and debris swept downstream. While much has been hauled away, community residents have shared with us places where Bear Creek could use some stewardship.

In fall 2025—and with permission from landowners—volunteer cleanup crews will begin picking their way downstream from the Midpines Community Hall down to the bridge near Whispering Pines.

In March of 2025, a recon crew (pictured below) explored portions of the creek most in need of cleaning up. If you have information about material in the creek that is in need of removal OR you would like to join the cleanup, email us at mercedwatershed@gmail.com.