NEWS RELEASE

As Memorial Day Weekend approaches, Sonoma County Regional Parks encourages safety awareness to minimize the number of drowning victims in the Russian River.

In cooperation with Sonoma County Health Services' Prevention and Planning Division, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, California Human Development Corporation, KRRS, Southwest Community Clinic, the American Red Cross and the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office, Regional Parks is delivering the message of water safety in and around the Russian River.

During this past year, these agencies have been discussing the issues regarding drowning in the Russian River. They have determined that, in the majority of these tragedies, the drowning was at least partially attributed to two things: 1) the Russian River is dangerous with many ledges, drop-offs and swift moving currents; and 2) drinking alcohol and entering the water is dangerous.

During the past three summers, a bilingual flyer has been distributed around the Russian River area providing information to the public on staying safe around the river. Ranger staff at Steelhead Beach, Sunset Beach, Forestville River Access, Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach and Cloverdale River Park are currently distributing this flyer.

What we know about the problem

• Many residents and visitors to Sonoma County have died in the Russian River.
• The Russian River is dangerous; there are many ledges or drop-offs on the river bottom, and the water moves fast.
• Drinking alcohol and entering the water is dangerous.

According to data from Sonoma County - Vital Statistics, the Sheriff's Department and newspaper articles, most of the drowning victims are:

• Young adult Latino males
• Poor or non-swimmers
• Visiting the river in groups/not alone
• Working and/or living near the river area

River conditions that contribute to the problem:

• Russian River is most dangerous in late spring and early summer due to higher flow caused by late season rains, runoff upstream, and dam releases
• Strong, swift currents
• Drop-offs that can't be seen
• Few supervised beach areas and dozens of remote spots
• Summer dams limit patrolling and rescue access
• Water is cold in spring and early summer, which can cause hypothermia

Other factors:

• Alcohol consumption is a contributing factor in many drowning incidents

How to be safe at the river:

• Stay out of the water if you are not a strong swimmer or near a lifeguard (especially important in May and June when the water is cold and moves fast)
• Learn to swim (call the Red Cross for information about swim lessons, 577-7600)
• Never swim or wade in the water alone
• Swim near a lifeguard (Memorial Beach, Healdsburg; Spring Lake, Santa Rosa)

For media inquiries or more information please contact:

American Red Cross, Rosiris Guerra, 577-7612
Sonoma County Health Department, Lynn Walton, 565-6680
Sonoma County Regional Parks, Bert Whitaker, 565-2041.