Swimming hole returning to Healdsburg beach after 2-year hiatus

For the first time since 2013, people heading to Veterans Memorial Beach in Healdsburg this summer will have a swimming hole.

That spot along the Russian River long has been dammed off during summer to create a recreational space for Sonoma County beachgoers. It’s a tradition dating back to the 1800s, when early Sonoma County residents would stack redwood logs to create a more rudimentary, though similar, effect, said Bert Whitaker, park manager.

Construction on the 2016 dam started Tuesday.

For the past two years, the seasonal dam hasn’t been put in place - in 2014 because of dam repairs, and in 2015 to make it easier for crews to work in the river channel while renovating Healdsburg Memorial Bridge.

Beach attendance suffered from the lack of a swimming hole, Whitaker said.

Lifeguards counted 16,894 visitors in 2013. In 2014, that figure dropped by more than half, to 6,692. Numbers weren’t available for summer 2015, but Whitaker said they likely were similar to 2015 numbers.

Parks officials are aiming for the swimming hole to be ready by July 2, just in time for Fourth of July weekend.

Construction of the dam also means the Healdsburg Water Carnival is back on for the first time since 2013. That day features a classic car parade, floats and more, and is supposed to be a throwback to the annual river carnivals the city held in the early 1900s. The tradition was revived in 2011. This year, it will be on Aug. 13.

The cement dam - called the War Memorial Dam - was first created in 1955 with money the city of Healdsburg got from a post-World War II effort to raise funds through taxes for cities to build veterans halls. Because Healdsburg already had a place for veterans, its portion went toward constructing a dam on the river so citizens could enjoy the swimming hole throughout the summer, Whitaker said.

“We have a long tradition with (the swimming hole) at Memorial Beach,” Healdsburg Mayor Tom Chambers said. “I think people missed not having it, and they’ll be thrilled to swim there again.”

You can reach Staff Writer Christi Warren at 521-5205 or christi.warren@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter ?@SeaWarren.