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California | Sonoma County / Cloverdale to Monte Rio
Russian RiverAlexander Valley Road / campground river access (water-entry edge) to Healdsburg Memorial Beach below Avenue dam (water-entry edge)
The documented 14.6-mile upper Russian River run from Alexander Valley Road to the Healdsburg Memorial Beach take-out below the seasonal Avenue dam.
Access and safety sources last checked September 16, 2026.
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
The documented 14.6-mile upper Russian River run from Alexander Valley Road to the Healdsburg Memorial Beach take-out below the seasonal Avenue dam.
Access map
Put-in
Alexander Valley Road / campground river access (water-entry edge)California Creeks identifies the Alexander Valley Road campground as the put-in and Healdsburg as the take-out. Confirm campground day-use/parking permission, the gated gravel-bar carry, seasonal dam portage and Healdsburg landing before launch.
Take-out
Healdsburg Memorial Beach below Avenue dam (water-entry edge)River access sites are seasonal and may require a short trail or gravel-beach carry; do not improvise a private-bank landing.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- California Creeks identifies the Alexander Valley Road campground as the put-in and Healdsburg as the take-out. Confirm campground day-use/parking permission, the gated gravel-bar carry, seasonal dam portage and Healdsburg landing before launch.
- River access sites are seasonal and may require a short trail or gravel-beach carry; do not improvise a private-bank landing.
- Recheck current access, road, parking, gate and water-quality conditions before staging.
Watch for
- USGS 11464000 trend and rainfall
- Seasonal dams, shallow bars, strainers and boat traffic
- Water quality, private banks and lower-river tidal influence
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Russian River near Healdsburg, CA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Russian River near Healdsburg, CA |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 300 cfs to 1,500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 300 cfs |
| High threshold | 1,500 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | California Creeks Russian River above Healdsburg run |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Route and distance14.6 miles
Distance between the named access points in the linked manager guide.
- Launch coordinate provenanceMapped launch and landing
Coordinates are tied to named public Russian River facilities and water-quality monitoring points; confirm the wetted-edge carry and current parking on arrival.
- Conditions posturePlanning only
Planning only: public facility and monitoring records support named endpoints, but this pass does not transfer a numeric recreational cutoff to the proxy Healdsburg gauge. Alexander Valley Road / campground access to Healdsburg Memorial Beach.
- Access and safety review2026-09-16
Guide and current manager pages checked. Verify notices again before travel; a past review is not a statement of current paddling suitability.
- Campingnearby_basecamp
No overnight river camping is included. Use an established campground or lodging near Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Guerneville or Monte Rio; do not camp at access sites or on private banks.
- Scored reach and flow bandDel Rio Woods to Healdsburg; 300–1,500 cfs
California Creeks places Del Rio Woods at mile 11 and the Healdsburg take-out at mile 14.6 of the above-Healdsburg run and publishes the canoe/kayak flow band against the Healdsburg gauge.
- Direct telemetryUSGS 11464000 near Healdsburg
Use current discharge and trend as a conservative planning cue; recheck before departure.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- Sonoma County Del Rio Woods public beach access
- California State Parks Russian River boating facilities
- City of Cloverdale River Park water-access page and map
- Sonoma County Del Rio Woods public beach access
- California North Coast Regional Water Board Russian River monitoring coordinates
- California Creeks Russian River flow guide
- USGS 11464000 station
- California Creeks Russian River above Healdsburg run
- USGS 11464000 direct station
Paddler reports
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Russian River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Alexander Valley Road / campground river access (water-entry edge) to Healdsburg Memorial Beach below Avenue dam (water-entry edge) route on the Russian River?
Paddle Today watches Russian River near Healdsburg, CA and treats 300 cfs to 1,500 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Alexander Valley Road / campground river access (water-entry edge) to Healdsburg Memorial Beach below Avenue dam (water-entry edge) route on the Russian River start and end?
This route starts at Alexander Valley Road / campground river access (water-entry edge) and ends at Healdsburg Memorial Beach below Avenue dam (water-entry edge), about 14.6 river miles on the water.
Is the Alexander Valley Road / campground river access (water-entry edge) to Healdsburg Memorial Beach below Avenue dam (water-entry edge) route on the Russian River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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