Blue Creek (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue Creek |
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 Location of Blue Creek in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Elk Valley Siskiyou Wilderness, Del Norte County 5,080 ft (1,550 m) 41°35′33″N 123°42′39″W / 41.59250°N 123.71083°W |
| River mouth | Klamath River About 10 mi (16 km) SE of Klamath, Humboldt County 69 ft (21 m) 41°25′27″N 123°55′42″W / 41.42417°N 123.92833°W |
| Length | 23 mi (37 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 73 sq mi (190 km2) |
Blue Creek is a stream about 23 miles (37 km) long in the Northern Coast Ranges of California. It is the last major stream that flows into the Klamath River before the Klamath River reaches the Pacific Ocean.
This important creek starts in Elk Valley, which is part of the Siskiyou Wilderness in the Six Rivers National Forest. This area is located in Del Norte County. Blue Creek then flows southwest, picking up water from several smaller streams like the East Fork, Crescent City Fork, and Nickowitz Creek. Finally, it joins the Klamath River in Humboldt County. This meeting point is about 10 miles (16 km) upstream from where the Klamath River empties into the Pacific Ocean.
Contents
The Blue Creek Area
The land area that drains into Blue Creek is called its watershed. This watershed covers about 47,000 acres (19,000 hectares). It is known as one of the cleanest and most natural areas in the entire Klamath River Basin.
History of the Land
For a very long time, the Blue Creek valley has been the traditional home of the Yurok people. In the 1800s and early 1900s, there was a lot of logging in this area. Logging means cutting down trees for wood. However, thanks to recent efforts by the Yurok Tribe to protect the land, the area is now starting to heal and recover.
Why Blue Creek is Important for Fish
Blue Creek is super important for fish like salmon and steelhead that live in the Klamath River system. These fish need to travel upstream to lay their eggs, a journey called migration.
Cool Water for Fish
During the summer, the water in Blue Creek is usually much cooler than the main Klamath River. When migrating fish swim into Blue Creek, they can cool down their bodies. This helps them survive their long journey upstream, especially when the main river is warm.
Safe Place to Lay Eggs
Blue Creek is also a great place for these fish to lay their eggs. There are no dams or other things blocking the water flow in Blue Creek. This means the fish have a clear path and a natural, healthy environment to reproduce.
The Ah Pah Dam Project
The place where Blue Creek meets the Klamath River is just downstream from where a huge dam was once planned. This dam, called the Ah Pah Dam, was proposed in the 1950s.
What the Dam Would Have Done
If built, the Ah Pah Dam would have been enormous. Its main purpose was to divert the Klamath River's water to Southern California. However, this massive project was never built.
