Yosemite’s Ackerson Meadow Restored with Massive Soil and Woodchip Fill
A multi-agency effort filled a 3.5-mile erosion gully in Ackerson Meadow with 162,000 cubic yards of material, reviving 94 acres of wetlands by mid-2025.
Ackerson Meadow, the largest mid-elevation meadow in Yosemite, had lost wetlands for over a century due to a deep erosion gully created by historic water diversion, farming and logging. Beginning in 2023, a partnership of federal and nonprofit groups filled the 3.51-mile gully with 162,000 cubic yards of locally sourced soil and woodchips, completing the work by June 2025. Subsequent planting introduced over 117 pounds of native seed, hundreds of thousands of container plants, and thousands of willow cuttings.
The restored 94-acre wetland now supports endangered birds and mammals, enhances groundwater recharge, and contributes to regional flood and drought resilience. Ongoing research by the USGS will monitor ecological changes, offering a template for future Sierra Nevada wetland projects.
Why it matters
Restoring Ackerson Meadow safeguards endangered species, improves water quality and demonstrates large-scale ecosystem recovery.
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