Dutch Bill Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dutch Bill Creek |
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Dutch Bill Creek 2009
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Sonoma County |
| Cities | Monte Rio, Camp Meeker |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | north of Occidental, California 522 ft (159 m) 38°24′44″N 122°57′3″W / 38.41222°N 122.95083°W |
| River mouth | Russian River Monte Rio, California 7 ft (2.1 m) 38°27′56″N 123°0′35″W / 38.46556°N 123.00972°W |
Dutch Bill Creek is a small stream, about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) long. It flows north through the hills of western Sonoma County, California. The creek eventually joins the Russian River in Monte Rio. This spot is about 7 miles (11 km) from the Pacific Ocean.
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Where Does Dutch Bill Creek Flow?
Dutch Bill Creek starts just north of Occidental. It flows north, following the Bohemian Highway. As it travels, smaller streams join it.
One of these is Lancel Creek, which flows in from the east. This happens just south of Camp Meeker. The main creek then goes through Camp Meeker itself. Here, it turns to the northwest. It also gets water from Baumert Springs.
Later, Alder Creek, Grub Creek, and Duvoul Creek add their waters. These streams join Dutch Bill Creek from the right side. The creek then flows through an area called Westminster Woods. Finally, it empties into the Russian River at Monte Rio. This meeting point is just west of a famous place called the Bohemian Grove.
The Story of Dutch Bill Creek
The creek is named after a man called "Dutch Bill" Howard. He was born in 1823. Dutch Bill was a Danish sailor who came to San Francisco Bay in 1849. He decided to start a new life there.
He became a homesteader, meaning he settled on land near where the creek begins. In the 1870s, a train track called the North Pacific Coast Railroad was built through the valley. Dutch Bill gave some of his land for the railroad to use. In return, he received a free train pass for his whole life. A train station was also named after him.
Home for Fish: Salmon and Steelhead
Dutch Bill Creek is an important home for fish. As of 2000, the creek and some of its smaller streams were supporting steelhead trout. These are a type of rainbow trout that live in the ocean and return to freshwater to lay eggs.
Wild Coho Salmon have also been found spawning in Dutch Bill Creek since 2001. "Spawning" means the fish are laying their eggs. Since 2006, young Coho Salmon have been released into the creek. This is part of a program to help their numbers grow.
Helping Fish Travel Freely
Experts have studied Dutch Bill Creek to find ways to make it better for salmon and steelhead. In 2009, a group called the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District (GRRCD) did something big. They removed the Camp Meeker Dam.
This dam was built in the 1950s. It created a swimming spot, but it also blocked fish from moving freely up and down the creek. It was one of the biggest barriers for fish in the Russian River area.
In place of the dam, a new steel bridge was put in. This bridge is 80 feet long and helps people cross the creek. The creek banks were also made stronger and new plants were added. The creek's path was changed to be more natural. These changes help gravel move downstream, which is important for fish to lay their eggs. It also creates better places for fish to live. The GRRCD also removed another barrier for fish at Market Street in Occidental, California.
Bridges Over the Creek
Several bridges cross over Dutch Bill Creek. These bridges help people and cars get around.
- The Main Street bridge in Monte Rio is actually two concrete slabs. They were built in 1953 and 1975.
- Fir Road in Monte Rio crosses the creek on a 98-foot (30 m) steel bridge. This bridge was built in 1974.
- Market Street crosses on a 27-foot (8 m) concrete culvert. It was built in 1958.
- The Bohemian Highway crosses the creek about 5.4 miles south of State Route 116. This crossing is a 26-foot (8 m) concrete slab built in 1935.
