Bishop Creek (Inyo County) facts for kids
- Bishop Creek is also a dated variant of Baxter Creek in Richmond/El Cerrito, California
Bishop Creek is a cool stream in Inyo County, California, about 10.1-mile-long (16.3 km). It's the biggest stream that flows into the Owens River. This creek is super important because it helps make electricity for people!
Quick facts for kids Bishop Creek |
|
|---|---|
North Fork Bishop Creek in the Fall
|
|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 7,400 feet (2,300 m) 37°15′57″N 118°34′41″W / 37.26583°N 118.57806°W |
| River mouth | Owens River 4,482 feet (1,366 m) |
Contents
Making Electricity with Bishop Creek
Bishop Creek is home to five hydroelectric power plants. These plants use the flowing water to create electricity. They are owned by Southern California Edison. Some parts of the creek even flow through large pipes, called penstocks. These pipes help the water move faster to make more electricity at the power plants.
The Forks of Bishop Creek
Bishop Creek has three main branches, or "forks": the North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork. Each of these forks starts high up in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains.
North and Middle Forks
- The North Fork flows into a beautiful place called North Lake.
- The Middle Fork flows into Lake Sabrina.
- After leaving their lakes, the North and Middle forks join together.
- They then flow through a small community named Aspendell.
- Below Aspendell, the combined creeks are held back by a dam at a place called Intake Two, which is a reservoir.
South Fork's Path
- The South Fork flows into South Lake.
- It then continues through the community of South Fork (also known as Habegger's).
- Finally, the South Fork joins the Middle Fork below the Intake Two reservoir.
Bishop Creek's Journey to the Owens River
After all the forks come together, Bishop Creek begins a steep drop down into the Owens Valley. The creek flows first north, then northeast, and finally east. It passes by the city of Bishop before it meets and joins the Owens River.
How Bishop Creek Got Its Name
The creek was named after an early settler in the Owens Valley. His name was Samuel Addison Bishop.
