Editing Yosemite Valley (section)

== Water ==
Snow melting in the Sierra forms creeks and lakes. In the surrounding region, these creeks flow to the edge of the Valley to form cataracts and waterfalls.
[[File:Mosquito Fall, by Muybridge, Eadweard, 1830-1904.jpg|thumb|Mosquito Fall, stereographic photo by [[Eadweard Muybridge]], c. 1868–1873]]
A fan of creeks and forks of the Merced River take drainage from the Sierra crest and combine at Merced Lake. The Merced then flows down to the end of its canyon ([[Little Yosemite Valley]]), where it begins what is often called the ''Giant Staircase''. The first drop is [[Nevada Fall]], which drops {{convert|594|ft|m}}, bouncing off the granite slope below it. Below is [[Vernal Fall]], {{convert|317|ft|m}} high, one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the Valley. The Merced then descends rapids to meet Illilouette Creek, which drops from the valley rim to form [[Illilouette Fall]]. They combine at the base of the gorges that contain each stream, and then flow around the Happy Isles to meet Tenaya Creek at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley proper.

Tenaya Creek flows southwest from [[Tenaya Lake]] and down Tenaya Canyon, finally flowing between Half Dome and North Dome before joining the Merced River. The following falls tumble from the Valley rim to join it at various points:
[[File:Yosemite Falls and Half Dome.jpg|thumb|x150px|[[Yosemite Falls]] and [[Half Dome]] in the winter]]
* [[Yosemite Falls]] {{convert|2425|ft}} Upper Yosemite Fall {{convert|1430|ft}}, the middle cascades {{convert|670|ft}}, and Lower Yosemite Fall {{convert|320|ft}}. (Yosemite Creek)
* [[Snow Creek Falls]] {{convert|2140|ft}}
* [[Sentinel Fall]]s {{convert|1920|ft}}
* [[Ribbon Fall]] {{convert|1612|ft}}
* [[Royal Arch Cascade]] {{convert|1250|ft}}
* [[Lehamite Falls]] {{convert|1180|ft}}
* [[Staircase Falls]] {{convert|1020|ft}}
* [[Bridalveil Fall]] {{convert|620|ft}}. (Bridalveil Creek)
* [[Nevada Fall]] {{convert|594|ft}}
* [[Silver Strand Falls]] {{convert|574|ft}}
* [[Vernal Fall]] {{convert|318|ft}}