Berryessa Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Berryessa Creek |
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Berryessa Creek Park, San Jose
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Santa Clara County |
Berryessa Creek is a small stream in northeastern San Jose and Milpitas. It's a "seasonal" creek, meaning it doesn't always have water. In summer, it's mostly dry. But in winter, it can fill up and even flood!
The creek starts in the Los Buellis Hills. It gets water from many smaller streams, called tributaries. Some of these are Piedmont Creek, Calera Creek, and Penitencia Creek. In Milpitas, much of its summer water comes from urban runoff. This is water from rain or sprinklers that flows off streets and buildings.
Berryessa Creek was named after Nicolas Berreyesa. He was a Spanish settler who was given land in the area in 1834.
Where Does Berryessa Creek Flow?
Berryessa Creek begins in the Los Buellis Hills. This is near a road called Felter Road. Several small streams join together there. Eventually, they form one main stream at Piedmont Road. These starting streams flow through undeveloped hills. These hills are used for cattle grazing.
After Piedmont Road, Berryessa Creek runs along the northern edge of Berryessa Creek Park. This park is in the Berryessa neighborhood. When it reaches Morrill Avenue, the creek becomes a straight ditch. It then flows north into Milpitas.
In Milpitas, other creeks join Berryessa Creek. These include Piedmont Creek, Arroyo de los Coches, and Calera Creek. Finally, Berryessa Creek flows into Lower Penitencia Creek. Lower Penitencia Creek then joins Coyote Creek. Coyote Creek eventually empties into the San Francisco Bay.
What Are Berryessa Creek's Tributaries?
Berryessa Creek has several smaller streams that feed into it. These are called tributaries. Most of them come from the Milpitas area. Let's learn about some of them.
Piedmont Creek
Piedmont Creek starts in the eastern hills of Milpitas. It has a few different branches. One branch comes from land used for cattle ranching. Another branch starts at a private ranch.
At Piedmont Road, the branches of Piedmont Creek go underground. They flow beneath houses and then join Berryessa Creek in an industrial area. This entire creek is only about three miles long.
Arroyo de los Coches
Arroyo de los Coches is also known as Los Coches Creek. It's a seasonal stream, meaning it doesn't flow all year. Its name is Spanish for "Creek of the Wild Pigs." And yes, there are still many wild pigs there!
This creek starts at a former ranch that is now being developed for homes. It flows past Spring Valley Homes and along Vista Ridge Road. Then it enters Ed R. Levin County Park. The creek continues downhill next to Calaveras Road. After crossing Piedmont Road, it becomes a straight ditch. It flows under Interstate 680 and then joins Berryessa Creek.
Calera Creek
Calera Creek starts in the northern part of Ed R. Levin County Park. It gets its water from springs on the west side of Monument Peak. The water rushes down very steep hills.
The creek then reaches the city parts of Milpitas. It flows past the old Higuera Adobe building. It becomes an artificial ditch and goes through many housing areas. It also passes by Milpitas High School. Finally, Calera Creek joins Berryessa Creek.
Calera Creek used to be a great place to fish for native rainbow trout. But in the 1960s, it was turned into a ditch. This was done to prevent flooding in new housing areas. Because of this change, almost all the fish disappeared from the creek. Today, the Santa Clara Valley Water District has placed signs along Berryessa Creek. These signs teach people about the creek's environment and wildlife.
37°26′09″N 121°54′24″W / 37.435772°N 121.906624°W
