Elder Creek (Tehama County)

Elder Creek is a major stream in Tehama County, California and a tributary of the Sacramento River. It originates at the confluence of its North, Middle and South Forks, which begin in the Mendocino National Forest, and flows 27 miles (43 km)[2] east to its confluence with the Sacramento River about a mile (1.6 km) east of Gerber and 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Tehama. Measured to the head of its longest tributary, the South Fork, Elder Creek has a total length of 42 miles (68 km),[2] draining a watershed of about 150 square miles (390 km2).[3] Like the other streams draining this part of the western Sacramento Valley, Elder Creek is a highly seasonal stream that flows only during the winter and spring.[5]

Elder Creek
Elder Creek (Tehama County) is located in California
Elder Creek (Tehama County)
Location of Elder Creek in California
Location
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
Physical characteristics
SourceCalifornia Coast Ranges
 • locationMendocino National Forest
 • coordinates40°00′48″N 122°33′00″W / 40.01333°N 122.55000°W / 40.01333; -122.55000[1]
 • elevation801 ft (244 m)
MouthSacramento River
 • location
Near Gerber
 • coordinates
40°02′35″N 122°06′57″W / 40.04306°N 122.11583°W / 40.04306; -122.11583[1]
 • elevation
207 ft (63 m)
Length27 mi (43 km)[2]
Basin size150.5 sq mi (390 km2)[3]
Discharge 
 • locationGerber, California[4]
 • average110 cu ft/s (3.1 m3/s)[4]
 • minimum0 cu ft/s (0 m3/s)
 • maximum14,100 cu ft/s (400 m3/s)

Elder Creek was so named for the elder trees lining its course.[6] A variant name was Arroyo de los Saucos.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Elder Creek". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. 1981-01-19. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  2. ^ a b c "USGS National Atlas Streamer". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 2014-05-28. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  3. ^ a b "Tehama West Watershed Management Plan" (PDF). Resource Conservation District of Tehama County. August 2008. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  4. ^ a b "USGS Gage #11380500 on Elder Creek at Gerber, CA". National Water Information System. U.S. Geological Survey. 1949–1979. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  5. ^ "Tehama West Watershed". Sacramento River Watershed Program. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  6. ^ "Place Names" (PDF). Tehama County Department of Education. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 May 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2018.