Boaters advised about water agency river project near Wohler Bridge

Temporary dam came out this week
The Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) cautioned boaters about “changed conditions” on the Russian River this week near the Wohler Bridge owing to construction work at water agency facilities in the area.
Work started Monday (Oct. 26) with the water agency removing a temporary dam and fish passage downstream from the Wohler Bridge.
Crews are using heavy equipment during the removal, and the boat ramp at Maxwell Grove, which is used by steelhead anglers and paddlers, will be closed while the dam is being dismantled this week from Monday, Oct. 26 through Friday, Oct. 30, said water agency spokesperson Ann DuBay. The boat ramp will be open Saturday, Oct. 31 and Sunday, Nov. 1.
Anglers, boaters and other Russian River users should also note that the conditions have changed downstream of Wohler Bridge at the water agency’s River Diversion Structure (RDS), said DuBay.
Construction on the Mirabel Fish Passage Improvement Project has resulted in the installation of a second temporary coffer dam constructed of metal sheet piles, said DuBay.
As river flows increase, passage around the coffer dam will become increasingly dangerous, said DuBay. During times when flows are lower, river users are urged to take out and put back in using the portage at RDS, and to avoid the area during higher flows (during and after storms).
The Mirabel Fish Passage Improvement Project will create safer conditions for endangered fish at the RDS.
The RDS is a critical part of the Russian River water supply system, which provides naturally filtered drinking water to approximately 600,000 people in portions of Sonoma and Marin counties.
No water supply service interruptions are anticipated due to the construction.
The Russian River Biological Opinion, issued in 2008 by National Marine Fisheries Service, found that fish screens at RDS could harm small fish, including young endangered coho salmon and threatened steelhead and Chinook salmon.
In order to comply with the Biological Opinion and continue operating its system, the water agency must install a new, improved fish screen.
In conjunction with the installation of the fish screen, the water agency will install an improved fish ladder and viewing gallery.
The new fish ladder will improve passage conditions for adult and juvenile salmon moving up or downstream, and will allow for more native species to use the ladder for migration.
The project is estimated to be complete in winter 2016.