Woman drowns in Russian River tributary near Cloverdale

A woman drowned Saturday afternoon in a tributary of the Russian River near Cloverdale.

The woman and a male companion were “wading and jumping around” in Big Sulphur Creek when she was swept into a strong current, said Cloverdale Fire Battalion Chief Rick Blackmon.

He said the pair were at a swimming hole near the intersection of Pine Mountain and Geysers Road.

The creek follows Geysers Road in a deep canyon, and at this time of year, he said there is “a pretty good flow.”

Sheriff’s Lt. Al Vernon said the male companion also was swept into the current, but was able to grab a rock, get out of the water and alert authorities to “a swimmer in distress” around 4:30 p.m.

“He lost sight of her,” Vernon said.

Her body was recovered about a half-mile downstream in the 1300 block of Wilson Road, and retrieved by the sheriff’s helicopter.

No information was released on the identity of the victim or her companion.