Russian River Fish Ladder and Viewing Gallery

Sonoma Water’s Russian River Diversion Structure (RDS) and Inflatable Dam is the heart of a drinking water system that serves 600,000 people in Sonoma and Marin counties. Located downstream of Wohler Bridge near Forestville, the inflatable dam supports the six collector wells that pump water at a depth of about 100 feet after natural filtration through sand and gravel. This naturally filtered water is delivered through large pipes (called aqueducts) to eight cities and water districts in the North Bay, who then distribute the water to their customers.

The success of this riverbank filtration system is dependent on the inflatable dam that is raised in late spring/early summer. The inflatable dam creates a large pool which provides the source of water to be pumped by the RDS into infiltration ponds. The infiltration ponds and the backwater created by the inflatable dam help recharge the well-field and allow the collector wells to operate more efficiently.

Permanent fish ladders were installed on both sides of the inflatable dam when it was installed in the early 1990s. These ladders allow fish to safely bypass the dam.

The Problem

Water that is diverted from the river and pumped into infiltration ponds is screened to prevent fish from getting trapped in the pump. The Russian River Biological Opinion, issued in 2008 by National Marine Fisheries Service, found that the fish screen had the potential to trap young, endangered coho salmon and threatened steelhead. In 2009, Sonoma Water began developing plans to replace the fish screen.

While the original fish ladders worked, they weren’t ideal for young fish migrating downstream. As a result, Sonoma Water operated the inflatable dam to create a “notch” that provided easier downstream passage for young salmonids during the late spring and early summer. This notch was created by adding air to the dam (which is inflated with water). Because the air expanded and contracted depending on temperature, the notch was challenging to maintain and often resulted in fluctuations in downstream flows.

In addition, a seismic study found that the RDS was vulnerable during earthquakes. If a major quake damaged RDS, the drinking water supply for 600,000 people could be interrupted for days or weeks.

 

The Solution

Seismic Upgrade: Beginning in January 2014, Sonoma Water constructed 326 stone columns in the river bank and embankment at the RDS, ranging from 30 feet to 90 feet deep. The columns were filled with rock, which densified the soil, reducing the risks of liquefaction and lateral spread during an earthquake.

Fish Screens: The original drum fish screens were replaced by six 12-foot tall by 6-foot wide panels, with a total area of 432 square feet.  The new fish screens incorporate an electric motor-driven mechanical brush system that periodically moves back and forth to clean the intake screen structure.

Fish Ladder:  Replacing the fish screen offered an opportunity to upgrade the fish ladder on the north side of the inflatable dam. The new fish ladder is a vertical slot fish ladder. Vertical slot fish ladders are commonly used for salmon and steelhead (among other fish species) throughout the world. The vertical slot fish ladder consists of a sloped, reinforced concrete rectangular channel separated by vertical baffles with 15-inch wide slots that extend down the entire depth of the baffle. The baffles are located at even increments to create a step-like arrangement of resting pools. (See illustration below for concept)

Viewing Gallery: The construction of a new, modern fish ladder offered the opportunity to develop a viewing gallery that would allow fisheries staff to more easily and safely count and identify fish. The viewing gallery also provides a window into the Russian River for the thousands of school children who annually visit the site as part of Sonoma Water’s award-winning Water Education Program.

 

Additional Facts

  • More than 2,800 cubic yards of concrete were used in constructing the Russian River Fish Ladder and Viewing Gallery.
  • 70 piles (concrete-filled underground columns) go far below the river’s surface to make sure the Fish Ladder and Viewing Gallery is seismically secure.
  • During the two winters of construction, the site was flooded six times. Each time, workers had to dig out tons of mud and use large pumps to dry the site.
  • During most winters, the entire structure will be inundated by water. When the first big storm is predicted, Sonoma Water maintenance and fisheries crews will remove anything that isn’t permanently attached to the structure and close it down for the winter. In the spring, when river flows go down, the entire structure will be cleaned and re-opened.
  • Because the structure is located in the midst of Sonoma Water’s supply system, it is only open to the public during frequently scheduled tours. Go to our Public Tours webpage to sign up.
  • This project was paid for by the water ratepayers of the cities of Cotati, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa and Sonoma, the Town of Windsor, and the North Marin and Valley of the Moon Water districts. Funds were also provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (through Pacific Coast Salmon Restoration Fund) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries.