Arroyo Simi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arroyo Simi |
|
|---|---|
Arroyo Simi seen from Frontier Park.
|
|
| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Corriganville Park, Simi Valley |
| River mouth | Merges with Arroyo Las Posas in Moorpark, discharges to the Pacific by Mugu Lagoon |
| Length | 19 mi (31 km) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Calleguas Creek |
| Tributaries |
|
The Arroyo Simi is a creek in Ventura County, California. Its name comes from Spanish and means "Small Stream of Simi." People sometimes call it Simi Creek. This creek flows about 19 miles (31 km) from east to west. It starts in Simi Valley and runs through Moorpark.
Where Does the Arroyo Simi Flow?
The Arroyo Simi begins at Corriganville Park near the Santa Susana Pass. From there, it flows west through Simi Valley for about 12 miles. It then continues for another seven miles into Moorpark.
In Moorpark, the Arroyo Simi joins another creek called Arroyo Las Posas. Together, they become part of the Calleguas Creek system. The Calleguas Creek eventually reaches the Pacific Ocean through an estuary (where fresh and salt water mix) at Mugu Lagoon. This lagoon is near Naval Air Station Point Mugu.
A Changing Creek
The Arroyo Simi drains a large area of 343 square miles in southern Ventura County. Naturally, it was an ephemeral creek. This means it only had water during the winter or after heavy rains.
Today, much of the Arroyo Simi is a concrete-lined channel. This change helps it carry water year-round. Many smaller streams and drains flow into the Arroyo Simi. These include Aaamos Canyon, Dry Canyon, Tapo Canyon, Las Llajas Canyon, White Oak, Runkle Canyon, and Bus Canyon Creeks. The Erringer Road and North Simi Drains also add water to it.
Fun Along the Arroyo
The City of Simi Valley is working on a project called the Arroyo Simi Greenway. This project aims to make the creek area more fun for everyone. It includes building new paved trails for hiking and biking.
The Greenway will also have signs to teach visitors about the area. There will be sixteen new places to enter the trails. The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District manages these trails as the Arroyo Simi Bike Path.
Who Lives Here?
The Arroyo Simi is home to many plants and animals. You can find native plants growing along its banks. The creek also supports different kinds of fish. Some fish species found here include the brown bullhead, green sunfish, bluntnose minnow, and mosquitofish.
The creek is also a very important place for birds that nest near freshwater. Many different bird species live or visit the Arroyo Simi. These include the great blue heron, white-faced ibis, black-crowned night heron, green heron, black-necked stilt, great egret, snowy egret, belted kingfisher, black phoebe, killdeer, common yellowthroat, greater yellowlegs, American coot, and mallard.
