Emerald Pool facts for kids

Emerald Pool is the name of several locations.

Emerald Pool in Yosemite National Park.

Visitors slide down the granite into Emerald Pool in violation of park rules.

One of the warning signs prohibiting swimming or wading in Emerald Pool

Emerald Pool at flood stage, May 2006

Silver Apron at flood stage, May 2006

Yosemite

Emerald Pool is a small, shallow lake, with an area of less than one acre. It is located about 80 meters above Vernal Fall in Yosemite National Park. It is named for its deep green color, which is caused by algae living on the rocks at the bottom of the pool. In the summertime during diminished water flow, the Silver Apron (a smooth granite slope over which the Merced River flows into the Emerald Pool) is frequently (albeit illegally) used by hikers as a water slide. Swimming or wading in the Emerald Pool or entering the Silver Apron is prohibited by the National Park Service since waders or swimmers have been swept over Vernal Fall and killed, and people sliding down Silver Apron risk collision with hidden rocks at its lower end. This prohibition is clearly marked with signs.

Yuba River

There also is an Emerald Pools destination in California along the Yuba River. 39°19′17″N 120°39′21″W / 39.3213°N 120.6558°W / 39.3213; -120.6558 The South Yuba River flows down a 60 feet (18 m) waterfall into a sheer rock canyon with two pools. The walls around the first pool measure from around 30 feet (9.1 m) to 80 feet (24 m) in height with a length of around 50 metres (160 ft) and width of around 30 metres (98 ft). The crystal-clear water is deep, 27 feet (8.2 m) near the middle of the pool, and many people jump off the cliffs for enjoyment. A second pool nearby is nearly as large. Despite the cool water temperature it is a popular swimming spot, particularly among young adults.

Yellowstone National Park

Emerald Pool, a hot spring named for its emerald green color, is one of the main attractions at Black Sand Basin in Yellowstone National Park. Its temperature is 154.6 °F and its dimensions are 27x38 feet with a depth of 25 feet. The color is due to growth of yellow bacteria and algae. Cooling, the result of objects thrown into the pool and natural debris, has affected the growth of the bacteria and algae, making the pool appear orange and brown around the edges.

Others

Other locations named Emerald Pool are in Morne Trois Pitons National Park in Dominica, and in Zion National Park in Utah.