Along its shoreline, you'll find several beaches that are perfect for swimming. Note: Due to the ever-changing nature of the water, we always recommend wearing a life jacket while wading or swimming in the Russian River.
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Russian River Beaches Water Quality Test Results. Beach is open. Health risk is low for water contact.
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.
Swimming in rivers can be dangerous for a few reasons. Rivers can be very deep and have strong currents, which can make it difficult to stay afloat. Rivers can also be filled with debris such as branches, rocks, and even snakes, which can cause injuries.
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.
Stay out of the water ifCloudy water can be a warning that there are more germs in the water than normal. Discolored or smelly water could mean there is a harmful algal bloom (HAB) in the water.
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.
Algae, including blue-green algae (aka cyanobacteria), can be normally found in many water environments, such as the Russian River. When high temperatures and increased nutrient levels in the water occur, algae can grow more rapidly than normal.
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.
Where Does the Russian River Float Start and End? The Russian River is very long, 115 miles to be exact! It runs from Sonoma to Mendocino, but for tubing the Russian River purposes, it is recommended by Sonoma County that you do the 2-mile stretch from Steelhead Beach to Sunset Beach.
If you see a bloom, stay out of the water and keep your pets and livestock out of the water. You cannot tell if a bloom is harmful by looking at it, so it is best to use caution and stay away. Do not fish, swim, boat, or play water sports in areas where there are harmful algae or cyanobacteria.