Little Salado Creek facts for kids

Little Salado Creek, originally called Arroyita Salado, is a small stream in California, United States. Its original Spanish name means "Little Salt Creek." This creek is a tributary of the much larger San Joaquin River. A tributary is a smaller stream that flows into a bigger river.

Where Does Little Salado Creek Flow?

Little Salado Creek starts high up in the Diablo Range. This is a long mountain range in California. The creek collects water from the eastern slopes of these mountains. It then flows through the Central Valley, which is a large, flat area in the middle of California.

The creek does not quite reach the San Joaquin River directly. Instead, it ends in Stanislaus County, south of a town called Patterson. Its journey helps drain water from a part of the Diablo Range into the larger river system.

A Bit of History

Long ago, Little Salado Creek was an important place for travelers. It was a watering spot along a historic route called El Camino Viejo. This old road was used for travel and trade in the San Joaquin Valley.

The creek also provided water for a large ranch known as Rancho Del Puerto. Having a reliable water source like Little Salado Creek was very important for people and animals living in the area back then.