In the summer, the water is warm and the swimming season often runs from May into October. Although the river is never dry, it might be low enough that boats may need to be floated over shallow water areas during this period.
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The Russian River runs through Sonoma County from Cloverdale in the north to Jenner in the west. Several Regional Parks located along the way provide access for kayaks, paddleboards, canoes and inner tubes. Paddling season is typically May through September.
The river's flow rate at the Hacienda Bridge in Guerneville is 450% higher than a year ago at 804 cubic feet per second, versus 146 cubic feet per second on May 11, 2022. Additionally, water temperatures in the Russian River are around 60 degrees in most locations.
In recent years, attention has been drawn to the presence of Blue-Green Algae, or Cyanobacteria, at unsafe, high levels in the Russian River waters in late summer.
Sandals or water shoes are essential unless your feet are like leather. You'll appreciate a hat for the sun and a reusable water bottle as it gets warm along the river. Some lunch is always nice if planning a day on the river.
Depending on the season and what stretch you're running, the Russian River has a few class III rapids for those looking to improve their skills and a whole lot of “easy rider” miles for the float set.
Brown and black bears sometimes appear on the river to scoop salmon from the water. The two-mile, wheelchair-accessible trail to the falls and viewing decks traverses mixed spruce-birch woods filled with forest birds.
The closure is necessary for public safety due to planned construction involving extensive heavy machinery use. The campground is scheduled to remain closed until May 29, 2024, but may reopen sooner if progress allows.
One of the greatest threats to water quality in the Russian River and most of the United States is polluted urban run-off. Urban areas have high amounts of what we call impervious surfaces such as driveways, parking lots, roads, rooftops that are hardened and do not absorb water.
In warm water streams, the temperatures should not exceed 89 °F.Cold water streams should not exceed 68 °F. Often summer heat can cause fish kills in ponds because high temperatures reduce available dissolved oxygen in the water.