Community Clean Water Institute

Russian River- Jenner to Guerneville, CA

The Russian River is on the EPA's 303d list as impaired for the following criteria: Sedimentation, threat of sedimentation, siltation, turbidity, bank erosion impaired spawning and rearing habitat, increased rate and depth of flooding due to sediment, property damage in Russian River and tributaries.

Of interest in the Lower Russian River are high levels of sediment in the estuary, high turbidity during storm events, bacteria counts at public beaches, temperature for salmon, discharges from agriculture and industry, stormwater runoff, and other sources.

Site descriptions:

RUS010: Russian River at Jenner Creek Near boat house
RUS030: Laurel Dell (access through trailer park)
RUS039: Villa Grande (by kayak)
RUS040: Monte Rio Beach
RUS046: Downstream of Northwood Golf Course
RUS047: Upstream of Northwood Golf Course

RUS049: Guerneville at Johnson's Beach
RUS049a: Guerneville at Odd Fellows Park Road

Jenner and Austin Creek Factsheet  |   Monte Rio Factsheet
Monte Rio Coliform Study Report  |   2004 Middle Russian Data Report
  Monte Rio Coliform Study Report | 2004 Data Report

Russian River Monitoring Plan

Objectives: The focus of this project is to identify pollution sources and problems in water quality, and use data collected to develop fact sheets and educational materials for the general public highlighting best management practices and strategies for reducing pollution.

Data Collection Activities-
Parameters
pH
Nitrogen/nitrate
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Flow
Phosphorus/phosphate
Conductivity
Turbidity
Temperature

When: The project's orientation and initial sampling date was February 1, 2004. Johnson's Beach and Oddfellows Park Road in Guerneville started in September 2004.

Why: Parameters were chosen according to general interest to citizen monitors, and relation to erosion impacts. Sites were chosen according to the following criteria:
- Representative of the areas of the Creek for general creek characterization.
- Concerns of water pollution resulting from potential erosion from upstream timber harvests
- Concerns with pollution and flow interference from gravel mine operations
- Accessibility and safely throughout the year, as well as trespassing constraints.

How: The monitoring program is intended to develop baseline characterization data, document water and habitat quality changes over time and to help establish a scientific basis for land use decisions. Sites and parameters were chosen after discussions with local residents.

Russian River monitors:

Citizen Monitors John Pendergraft and Annie Mills use a specially designed pole to monitor water quality near the confluence of Austin Creek and the Russian River.

Randy Barron- Jenner
Robert Feuer- Monte Rio
John Pendergraft- Monte Rio
Denis Brown-Golf Course
Elizabeth Christie and Lisa Vasse started monitoring at Johnson's Beach and Oddfellows Park Road in Guerneville September 2004.

Coliform Special Study at Monte Rio Beach:

CCWI conducted a Special Study of Coliform levels in the Monte Rio Beach area over the course of the weekend of August 14-16, 2004. This Special Study provides a snap-shot of the bacterial levels in the Monte Rio Beach area. Click here for the Special Study.

For the Special Study, Total coliform and E. coli were the constituents of primary concern. Conductivity and ammonia were monitored as indicators of failing septic systems, or presence of additional contaminants. Temperature and flow were monitored as background characteristics.

4 sites were monitored once on Friday, twice on Saturday, twice on Sunday, and once on Monday.
2 sites were located upstream of Monte Rio beach, and 2 sites were located downstream. (RUS039 and RUS040 are downstream, RUS045 and RUS048 are upstream).

About Us | Resources | Programs | Events | Contact