Atascadero Creek (Sonoma County, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atascadero Creek |
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 Location of the mouth of Atascadero Creek in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Sonoma County |
| Cities | Graton, California, Sebastopol, California |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | English Hill 3 mi (5 km) southwest of Sebastopol, California 825 ft (251 m) 38°20′50″N 122°51′48″W / 38.34722°N 122.86333°W |
| River mouth | Green Valley Creek 2 mi (3 km) northwest of Graton, California 89 ft (27 m) 38°26′54″N 122°53′13″W / 38.44833°N 122.88694°W |
Atascadero Creek is an important stream in Sonoma County, California. It flows north for about 8.8 miles (14.2 kilometers). The creek eventually joins Green Valley Creek. This waterway is a key part of the local environment.
Contents
Where Atascadero Creek Flows
Atascadero Creek begins on the north side of English Hill. This spot is about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) southwest of Sebastopol. The creek then flows downhill towards the north. It passes under several roads like Barnett Valley Road and Bodega Highway.
Creek's Journey Through Parks and Towns
The creek continues its journey through Ragle Ranch Regional Park. This park is located in the city of Sebastopol. After leaving the park, the creek crosses more roads. These include Mill Station Road and Graton Road.
Joining Green Valley Creek
Finally, Atascadero Creek reaches Green Valley Creek. This meeting point is about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) northwest of Graton. Atascadero Creek is the main waterway for the Atascadero Wetland system. Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present near the surface, for all or parts of the year.
Protection and Watershed Connection
The creek and its wetlands are protected by rules like the Federal Clean Water Act. This law helps keep water clean. Atascadero Creek is also part of the larger Russian River watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a single river or body of water.
Animals and Plants in the Creek
Atascadero Creek is a home for many different animals. As of 2000, the creek and its smaller streams supported steelhead trout. These fish are a type of rainbow trout that can live in both fresh and saltwater.
Special Shrimp and Salmon
The creek also provides a home for California freshwater shrimp. These small shrimp are unique to California. The Atascadero Creek is also a historic place for salmon to lay their eggs. This includes threatened steelhead salmon and endangered coho salmon.
Protecting Endangered Species
Coho salmon are listed as one of the top ten endangered species. This means their populations are very low and they need special protection. To help these fish, a special breeding program was started in 2001. This program helps increase their numbers in a safe environment.
Images for kids
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A swampy region of the creek in Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol
