Los Gatos Creek (Fresno County, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Los Gatos Creek |
|
|---|---|
| Native name | Arroyo Pasajero, Arroyo Poso de Chane |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Fresno County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | source in the north end of Garcia Canyon in the Diablo Range., Fresno County 36°18′50″N 120°39′00″W / 36.31389°N 120.65000°W |
| River mouth | mouth dissipates in the San Joaquin Valley, 1.9 miles northwest of Huron., Fresno County 381 ft (116 m) 36°13′20″N 120°07′29″W / 36.22222°N 120.12472°W |
Los Gatos Creek is a creek located in Fresno County, California. It was once known as Arroyo Pasajero or Arroyo Poso de Chane. The creek starts in the northern part of Garcia Canyon, which is in the Diablo Range mountains.
From its source, Los Gatos Creek flows through Los Gatos Canyon. It then crosses an area called Pleasant Valley, which is north of Coalinga. Here, Warthan Creek joins it. The creek continues eastward until it meets Jacalitos Creek. After that, it flows north of the Guijarral Hills and into the San Joaquin Valley. In the valley, Zapato Chino Creek also joins Los Gatos Creek.
In the past, especially during very wet years like 1852 or 1861–62, Los Gatos Creek and other streams on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley would flow much farther. They sometimes even reached the North Fork Kings River distributary, which then flowed towards Tulare Lake. This happened before farmers started using the water for their crops. Today, Los Gatos Creek usually does not flow east of a point about 1.9 miles northwest of Huron. Even during floods, it does not go past the California Aqueduct.
History of the Creek
Los Gatos Creek has a long history. Its original names were Arroyo Pasajero, meaning "Traveler Creek," and Arroyo Poso de Chane, meaning "Pool of the Chane."
The Poso de Chane
The Poso de Chane was a natural pool or waterhole along the creek. It was located northwest of the Guijarral Hills, about 6 miles from Coalinga. This spot was once home to a village of Native Americans known as the Chane. Later, it became a small Spanish and then Mexican settlement. It also served as a resting place for travelers on the El Camino Viejo, an old road.
Sadly, the Poso de Chane and its settlement were destroyed during the Great Flood of 1862. However, even as late as 1925, maps still showed the part of Los Gatos Creek east of the Guijarral Hills as Arroyo Pasajero.
A Famous Song
Los Gatos Creek is also remembered because of a plane crash that happened there in 1948. This event inspired a famous folk singer named Woody Guthrie to write a song called "Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)".
Los Gatos Creek County Park
Today, Los Gatos Creek flows through a beautiful area known as Los Gatos Creek County Park. This park offers a place for people to enjoy nature and the creek.
