Harshaw Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harshaw Creek |
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Harshaw Creek, northeast of the Harshaw townsite
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Santa Cruz |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Patagonia Mountains |
| River mouth | Sonoita Creek, Patagonia, Arizona 4,078 ft (1,243 m) 31°32′36″N 110°44′43″W / 31.54333°N 110.74528°W |
| Length | 15 mi (24 km) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Colorado River |
Harshaw Creek is a stream located in the Patagonia Mountains of Santa Cruz County, Arizona. It's named after David Tecumseh Harshaw, who settled near its banks in the 1870s. This creek is about 15 miles (24 km) long. It flows north and northwest towards the town of Patagonia, where it joins Sonoita Creek.
Water Flow and Wildlife
Most of Harshaw Creek is 'ephemeral.' This means it doesn't always have water flowing. The creek gets its most water after the summer monsoon rains. It also gets more water after winter snowstorms.
The plants along the creek are typical for this area. You can find cottonwood, willow, and sycamore trees. These plants form a special green area called a riparian corridor along the creek's edges.
The upper part of Harshaw Creek flows through a narrow valley. This valley has steep walls. As the creek gets closer to Patagonia, the valley widens. The creek then flows through a sandy channel.
Fun and History at Harshaw Creek
A large part of Harshaw Creek is inside the Coronado National Forest. This means people can visit and enjoy outdoor activities there. There are also some ranches located along the creek.
Harshaw Creek and its smaller streams were once very important for mining. People started looking for gold and silver here in the late 1800s. Mining continued well into the 1900s.
Because of all the old mining, there are many abandoned mines in the area. These old mines can affect the water quality. Harshaw Creek's water is different from other nearby streams due to these past activities.
Images for kids
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The Harshaw Riparian Exclosure, a small nature preserve
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A cottonwood tree in Harshaw Creek
