Russian River, River system in Northern California, United States.
Russian River is a waterway in northern California that winds southward through forest and meadow areas, reaching the Pacific Ocean after roughly 110 miles (177 kilometers). The riverbed alternates between wide sections with sandbars and narrow passages between wooded hills.
Indigenous peoples lived along the banks for centuries and called the waterway Ashokawna. Settlers from Russia founded Fort Ross near the mouth in the early 19th century and gave the river its current name.
Several communities along the waterway hold summer festivals with wine tastings and open-air concerts. Visitors rent canoes or kayaks for multi-hour tours between shaded banks and shallow gravel bars.
Access is available through several public points along State Route 116 and smaller side roads. Water levels are usually lower in early summer and better suited for wading or swimming.
A special breeding program keeps a small population of coho salmon alive and releases juveniles into the river each year. Historical overfishing and habitat loss had nearly wiped out the species.
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