Maacama Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maacama Creek |
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 Location of the mouth of Maacama Creek in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Sonoma County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | McDonnell Creek Pine Mountain, 12 mi (20 km) northeast of Healdsburg, California 3,360 ft (1,020 m) 38°44′15″N 122°43′40″W / 38.73750°N 122.72778°W |
| 2nd source | Briggs Creek north shoulder of Mount Saint Helena 2,630 ft (800 m) 38°42′23″N 122°39′45″W / 38.70639°N 122.66250°W |
| River mouth | Russian River 4 mi (6 km) east of Healdsburg, California 141 ft (43 m) 38°36′50″N 122°47′1″W / 38.61389°N 122.78361°W |
| Length | 8 mi (13 km)from confluence to mouth |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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Maacama Creek is a stream about 7.3 miles (11.7 km) long in northern Sonoma County, California, U.S.A.. It flows into the Russian River near the city of Healdsburg. The name Maacama comes from the Wappo language.
Where Maacama Creek Flows
Maacama Creek starts where two smaller streams, McDonnell Creek and Briggs Creek, join together. This meeting point is near Peter Hill in the Mayacamas Mountains. From there, the creek flows south.
It runs next to Briggs Ranch Road for a while. Then, it turns west near State Route 128. The creek flows alongside this highway for about 0.7 miles (1.1 km). It then goes under the highway to meet Redwood Creek.
After this, Maacama Creek enters the Alexander Valley. It turns south again and flows next to Chalk Hill Road until it meets Franz Creek. Finally, it flows west for another 0.7 miles (1.1 km). It then joins the Russian River about 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Healdsburg.
Animals in Maacama Creek
Maacama Creek and its main smaller streams are home to different kinds of fish and other water animals. As of the year 2000, these waters supported steelhead trout. Steelhead trout are a type of rainbow trout that live in the ocean and return to fresh water to lay their eggs.
Franz Creek, one of Maacama Creek's tributaries, also had California freshwater shrimp. These are small shrimp that live only in certain freshwater areas in California. Redwood Creek and Maacama Creek were also home to coho salmon. Coho salmon are another type of fish that spend part of their lives in the ocean and return to rivers to reproduce.
Bridges Over the Creek
Two bridges cross over Maacama Creek. These bridges help people and cars travel over the water.
- The first bridge is on Chalk Hill Road. It is a concrete arch bridge, which means it has a curved shape. This bridge is about 170 feet (52 meters) long and was built in 1915.
- The second bridge is part of California State Route 128. It crosses the creek at milepost 17.25. This bridge is made of concrete and is about 147 feet (45 meters) long. It was built in 1931.
