Wild scene on the Merced River Oct 2, 2019

Wild scene on the Merced River

This stretch of the Merced River has been officially designated "wild and scenic" by the federal government. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was signed October 2, 1968, by President Lyndon B. Johnson to preserve rivers with "outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations." It covers 13,416 miles of streams and protects parts of such natural treasures as the Allagash, Salmon, Snake, Trinity, and Missouri, which is the longest river in the US.

© Robb Hirsch/Tandem Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

Oct 2, 2018North Cascades National Park at 50
Oct 2, 2020A wild and scenic scene
Oct 2, 2021A river on the tundra
Oct 2, 2022Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Oct 2, 2023World Architecture Day
Oct 2, 2024Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
Oct 2, 2025Oxbow Bend on the Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

More Desktop Wallpapers:

May 28, 2022Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park, Australia
May 25, 2020Here we mark the price of freedom
Jan 14, 2026National Take the Stairs Day
Feb 4, 2026Rosa Parks Day
Oct 27, 2024Polar Bear Week
Mar 1, 2024Womens History Month
Nov 27, 2025Happy Thanksgiving!
Apr 18, 2023International Day for Monuments and Sites
Mar 18, 2025Rock formations at Sedona, Arizona
Jan 8, 2026Starling murmuration over the ruins of Brightons West Pier, England
Apr 15, 2024World Art Day
May 19, 2021A path lain with petals
May 15, 2019Basking in the glow
Mar 27, 2024World Theater Day
Mar 16, 2021Why does this panda cub look so happy?
Dec 23, 2019A Festivus for the rest of us
Nov 20, 2024World Childrens Day
Jul 1, 2021Celebrating migrations
Aug 2, 2019An uncommon look at an American icon
Jun 12, 2019A big birthday for Big Bend
Aug 9, 2019In the Supertree Grove
Mar 20, 2026Spring equinox
May 26, 2021Behold the blood moon
May 13, 2025Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile
Jul 3, 2022Dog days of summer
Sep 13, 2023Hemakuta Hill, Hampi, India
Sep 15, 2020For Hispanic Heritage Month: Out of Many, One
Sep 21, 2019 The Wall for Peace
May 8, 2023Arches National Park, Utah
Jan 23, 2020Across the great plains of Africa