Hat Creek (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hat Creek |
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Hat Creek in Lassen Volcanic National Park
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Cities | Old Station, Hat Creek, Cassel |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of East and West Forks Dersch Meadows, Lassen Volcanic National Park 6,302 ft (1,921 m) 40°31′02″N 121°27′19″W / 40.51722°N 121.45528°W |
| River mouth | Pit River Lake Britton 2,736 ft (834 m) 40°59′23″N 121°34′43″W / 40.98972°N 121.57861°W |
| Length | 48.7 mi (78.4 km) |
Hat Creek is a stream in northern California. It is about 48.7 miles (78.4 km) long. A stream is like a small river. Hat Creek flows into the Pit River. This makes Hat Creek a "tributary" of the Pit River.
The creek starts in Lassen Volcanic National Park. It begins from two smaller streams, called forks. These forks are on the eastern side of Lassen Peak. Hat Creek then flows north through Lassen National Forest. It finally reaches Lake Britton near Burney, California. This is where it joins the Pit River.
People say Hat Creek got its name in a funny way. A surveyor was working in the area a long time ago. He supposedly lost his hat in the creek!
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A Special Place for Trout
The lower part of Hat Creek is very special. About three and a half miles of the creek are called a "Wild Trout Waterway." The California Department of Fish and Game gave it this name.
This means it's a great place for trout to live naturally. The rules for fishing here are strict. This helps protect the fish.
What Kind of Trout Live Here?
Hat Creek is famous for its wild trout. You can find two main types of trout here. They are rainbow trout and brown trout.
These fish can grow quite large. Some trout in Hat Creek can be up to 20 inches (51 cm) long! The creek's geology is similar to special "chalk streams" in England. This makes it a perfect home for trout.
Towns Along the Creek
There are a few towns located near Hat Creek. The main towns are Hat Creek and Old Station. Old Station is closer to Lassen Volcanic National Park.
The Hat Creek Radio Observatory is also located nearby. It is close to the town of Hat Creek. This observatory uses large antennas to study space.
Past Events at Hat Creek
On May 19, 1915, Mount Lassen erupted. This eruption caused a large mudflow. This mudflow is also called a "lahar." It swept down Hat Creek and a nearby stream called Lost Creek. A lahar is a fast-moving mix of volcanic ash, rocks, and water.
