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Vacation Beach Dam Information

Russian River Recreation and Park District Update on Vacation Beach Dam Installation Delay and Remediation Efforts

Update--June 21, 2025 The Russian River Recreation and Park District (RRRPD) issues a comprehensive update regarding the status of the Vacation Beach Dam (VBD) and the expected delay for 2025. The board and staff are grateful for everyone who attended Wednesday night’s meeting and those who reached out in the last few weeks, emphasizing this level of interest is proof of the project's importance to the community.

On August 29, 2024, one of the I-beam uprights on the Neeley Road side of the Vacation Beach Dam failed. An inspection revealed the flange supporting one of the lower boards eroded, causing the board to shift. This resulted in an uncontrolled release of water.

As a result, on September 25, 2024, the Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) conducted an inspection of the Vacation Beach Dam. The RRRPD received DSOD’s detailed report on November 5, 2024, which states the dam may NOT be reinstalled until DSOD provides explicit approval of both the repair plans and the completed repair. In late winter, RRRPD engaged MKM & Associates, Inc., structural engineers based in Rohnert Park, to evaluate the damage and develop comprehensive plans for the necessary repairs. To ensure the integrity of the proposed backfilling operation, MKM requested geotechnical guidance, leading to the engagement of Bauer Associates, a geotechnical firm from Forestville, to provide expert consultation.

 

"We absolutely want to see the Vacation Beach Dam installed as soon as safely and legally possible," states the Russian River Rec and Park Board. "We see and hear you… and are committed to providing transparent and timely information regarding the Vacation Beach Dam, ensuring all necessary measures are taken to restore safety andrecreational opportunities as quickly and responsibly as possible."

The District filed the application for repair with the DSOD and is actively consulting with other critical permitting agencies, following DSOD's advice. These agencies include, but are not limited to, the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), the Army Corps of Engineers, and Sonoma County (Permit Sonoma).

 

DSOD determined a Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement (LSA Agreement) is required. This is a complex permitting process requiring a CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) lead agency certification and projections of total costs. Approval for this permit may take as long as 90 days.

The Russian River Recreation and Park District continues to reach out to all relevant agencies, including local and state representatives, for support and guidance through this intricate process.

 

Where to Find Updates:

The Russian River Recreation and Park District encourages the public to visit the sites below for transparent updates on remediation efforts, revised timelines, and safety advisories until the dam is successfully reinstalled.

Please refer to:

About the Russian River Recreation and Park District

The Russian River Recreation and Park District is dedicated to providing quality parks, recreation programs, and community services that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors within the Russian River area.

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Update--June 4, 2025 Firstly, we want to thank everyone in our wonderful community for the continued support and interest in the dam at Vacation Beach.

We are committed to ensuring the dam gets installed safely and in accordance with the appropriate regulations. We have obtained schematics for the necessary repairs and have filed them with the Division of Dam Safety. When the plans are approved, we will begin working with the assigned team to execute the necessary repairs. It is likely repairs will include replacing the upright metal supports and boards currently impounded on the Nealy Rd side of the river. This will include the careful movement of decades of river deposit and the use of heavy equipment near and possibly within the river channel. We are so grateful for the community support and understanding how careful and deliberate we must be with these actions.

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Update--April, 20, 2025  We are following all necessary steps to repair the flash board dam at Vacation Beach. Engineering plans are in hand and the initial applications have been filed with regulatory agencies. There are many permits and sign-offs needed in order for the work to be completed, and we do not yet know when we will be able to begin work at the Vacation Beach site.

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Update--March 20, 2025 The Russian River Recreation and Park District (RRRPD) would like to inform the public of a potential delay in installing the Vacation Beach Dam, initially scheduled for mid-June 2025. Updates regarding the design, planning, construction, and inspection progress will be provided regularly.

On August 29, 2024, an uncontrolled release of the Vacation Beach Dam occurred, necessitating the early removal of the dam. Following this event, RRRPD notified the Department of Water Resources (DWR), and a Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) Field Engineer inspected the dam on September 25, 2024. Subsequently,  the DSOD sent a letter  in January 2025, stating:

"DSOD is restricting the (Vacation Beach Dam) to zero storage, and the dam may not be reinstalled until the repair work is satisfactorily completed and DSOD gives written approval to store water."

In response, RRRPD immediately engaged a structural engineer and soils engineer to work on the required documentation to comply with DSOD requirements.

The Department of Water Resources typically takes 30 to 60 days to review and respond to each submittal, and the approval process generally requires two to three submittals. Once the approved plans are received, RRRPD can put the project out for bid and establish a more precise construction timeline. Based on previous permits, work can begin in the Russian River as early as May 15, provided the river flow is low enough to permit construction. However, construction cannot proceed until the plans have been approved.

RRRPD is communicating with the Sonoma County Building Department and the Division of Safety of Dams to explore ways to expedite the applications, as this repair is considered minor. So far, the feedback is positive, and the situation remains hopeful that it can move forward as efficiently as possible.

The Russian River Recreation and Park District is responsible for constructing and maintaining eight parks within our boundaries, including the Vacation Beach and Johnson’s Beach dams. However, it is important to note that the County of Sonoma is responsible for the Vacation Beach summer crossing. Any inquiries regarding the timing and installation of the summer crossing should be directed to Sonoma Public Infrastructure.

RRRPD will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available through a new newsletter to inform the public of progress. To receive updates directly, please visit the RRRPD newsletter sign-up page (https://www.russianriverrecpark.org/rrrpd-newsletter). For additional information about Russian River Recreation and park services, please visit  russianriverrecpark.org.

At this time, there are no delays in the mid-June installation date of the Johnson’s Beach Dam.

 

Thank you for your patience and support in restoring the Vacation Beach Dam safely and efficiently.

 

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