Russian River Beaches Water Quality Test Results. Beach is open. Health risk is low for water contact.
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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.
Kids in Life Vests, AlwaysMost of Sonoma County's Russian River beaches do not have full-time lifeguards on duty, so we strongly recommend swimmers wear life vests, especially if you're not a strong swimmer or you're drinking alcohol. Children should always be in life vests when they're in the river.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.