Summer plans for many in Sonoma County faced an abrupt shift as officials closed the seasonal Russian River bridge at Vacation Beach. The closure, which impacted a beloved recreation spot near Guerneville, came after a dam failure resulted in high river flows and damage to county infrastructure. According to a Sonoma County announcement, the area is deemed unsafe, and residents have been advised to stay clear, particularly with the upcoming Labor Day weekend drawing closer.

The dam, under the Russian River Recreation and Parks District's purview, experienced a breach on Thursday night. Officials stated that the failure happened due to a component failure, and they were reassured that there were no unscheduled releases and no increase in river flow upstream prior to the breach.

In light of the incident, Supervisor Lynda Hopkins expressed concerns. "It is unfortunate that we have to close the Vacation Beach summer crossing early," Supervisor Hopkins told Sonoma County officials, "But safety is our most important priority, especially ahead of the busy Labor Day weekend." As a result, the parks district had a crane brought in the following Friday to remove parts of the dam to alleviate the pressure, though this action may result in increased flows downstream.

Despite the disheartening circumstances for holiday revelers, the boat ramp nearby will stay accessible for those looking to navigate the waters by craft. "Russian River Recreation and Parks District staff have been working diligently to address the situation as soon as it was brought to their attention," Esa Day, district board president, said in a statement. While the dam is set to be removed post-Labor Day festivities, the urgency is clear as agencies collaborate to restore and secure the affected locale.

As the situation unfolds, residents with floating docks have been urged to check and remove their property if necessary to prevent potential damage.