Russian River Estuary

Explore in lake like tidal salt water.

Birds, Seal Pups, Whale, Wildlife In Plenty.

  50 Yard River Mouth Restriction:

Deadly River Mouth Currents. "Stay back at least 150 feet" from , river mouth, wildlife resting area.

Avoid "Point of No Return" for currents flushing into the Pacific Ocean. If you feel a current, you're too close.

Estuary Micro-Climate:   Weather / Water Forecast

River Mouth: Open. Lake like in main estuary.

10/03/2022: A Calm Mild Period. Temp Highs Mid 70s.

Mon-Tue:  Skys clear to full sun. West wind direction maintains calm.  Some breeze Tue evening.

Wed: Clear skys overcast into evening then clear again.

Thur - Sat: Nice. Skys clear to sun and heats up.  Calm wind directions from the west persist and maintain temps to mid 70s, warming up to a  Fri high of 77 and Sat 75.

 Ocean Temps: Update Link: Goat Rock Sea Temp 58 °F : Stats (1981–2005) Oct Mean: 58 °F, Range: 56 °F to 61 °F

Families with children or first time paddlers.

Start early in the day on breezy afternoons.

Early Fall : Common "in Jenner": Wind from E,S, or W is much calmer .  Occasionally: WNW and NW can bring strong winds.

Check your wind Forecasts!

Our estuary has many calm days, but "this is a curving river".  "Farther Upstream"  may have strong PM winds. 

    Plan half day downstream trips early to beat the wind.

"Long downstream trips"

Start / Finish Early on Windy Days : Paddlers can become "exhausted and even stranded" fighting PM winds on many California rivers.  Summer Dam Season : Full day trips should start "downstream" and end with the wind at your back pushing you "upstream". (Not possible in rainy season.)

Check Back  : Forecasts can change.

See our safety page for  apps to track local conditions.

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