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California | Sonoma County / Forestville
Russian RiverMirabel Park to Forestville River Access
A lower Russian River day reach from Mirabel Park to Forestville River Access with Steelhead as an intermediate bailout.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Safety
Route safety
CautionThis route has hazards or access considerations that require extra verification.
Safety details
Wear a PFD and carry water, sun protection, offline navigation and communication equipment.
- Check for seasonal dams, shallow bars, strainers and post-storm debris before committing to the reach.
- Use only named public beaches and obey posted parking, launch, water-quality and closure rules.
- Cold water, changing current, heat and heavy summer recreation traffic can turn an easy reach into a serious incident.
Keep Russian River handy
Save this route in PaddleToday and check its conditions before your next paddle.
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A lower Russian River day reach from Mirabel Park to Forestville River Access with Steelhead as an intermediate bailout.
Access map
Put-in
Mirabel Park river accessUse only named public access sites and obey posted seasonal and water-quality notices.
Take-out
Forestville River Access / Mom’s Beach river entryUse only named public access sites and obey posted seasonal and water-quality notices.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Use only named public access sites and obey posted seasonal and water-quality notices.
Watch for
- Seasonal structures and shallow bars
- Forestville trail carry and parking
- Water quality, crowds and private banks
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.
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 note
Preferred range: 300 cfs to 1,500 cfs · Russian River near Healdsburg, CA
Does this gauge apply to my trip?
Use the Healdsburg gauge and verify current river, beach, dam, water-quality and access conditions before launch.
New to reading stage or flow? Read the paddler's gauge guide.
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
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.
- Checking data sources and update times.
- Checking evidence cautions.
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 flow guide |
| 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.
- Access and distanceMirabel Park to Forestville River Access; 3 miles
California State Parks and Sonoma County Regional Parks identify the selected public boating access sites; OSPR publishes mapped site coordinates.
- Scoring band300–1,500 cfs community planning band
California Creeks publishes a 300–1,500 cfs canoe/kayak band for the Healdsburg-to-Forestville reach against the Healdsburg gauge; verify live trend and local conditions.
- GaugeUSGS 11464000
Direct Russian River gauge near Healdsburg; recheck current telemetry and trend before launch.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
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All 37Quick answers
Russian River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Mirabel Park to Forestville River Access 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 Mirabel Park to Forestville River Access route on the Russian River start and end?
This route starts at Mirabel Park river access and ends at Forestville River Access / Mom’s Beach river entry, about 3 river miles on the water.
Is the Mirabel Park to Forestville River Access route on the Russian River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
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