Martis Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Martis Creek |
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Beaver dam upstream of Martis Reservoir creates additional trout habitat. Northstar at Tahoe in background.
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 Location of the mouth of Martis Creek in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Placer County & Nevada County |
| City | Truckee, California |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Sawtooth Ridge, west of the peak of Mount Pluto 7,305 ft (2,227 m) 39°14′33″N 120°09′21″W / 39.24250°N 120.15583°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with the Truckee River 5,666 ft (1,727 m) 39°21′00″N 120°07′06″W / 39.35000°N 120.11833°W |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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Martis Creek is a stream in California, United States. It flows north from Sawtooth Ridge, which is west of Mount Pluto. The creek starts in Placer County, California and then enters Nevada County, California. Finally, it joins the Truckee River near the town of Truckee, California.
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A Look Back: Martis Creek's Past
Long ago, from about 2000 BCE to 500 CE, an ancient group of Native Americans called the Martis people lived near Martis Creek. They were some of the first people to call this area home.
Later, in the 1800s, a scientist named William Henry Brewer from the California Geological Survey explored the area. He knew the local Washoe people called this valley "Timilick Valley." It is believed that the creek, the valley, and a nearby mountain were all named after a rancher known as "Martis."
Martis Creek's Watery Home
A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a single river, lake, or ocean. The Martis Creek watershed is located east of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It covers about 42.7 square miles (110.6 square kilometers).
Martis Creek has four smaller streams, called tributaries, that flow into it. These are the West Fork Martis Creek, Middle Fork Martis Creek, East Fork Martis Creek, and Dry Lake Creek. All but Dry Lake Creek join Martis Creek before it reaches the Martis Creek Reservoir.
There is a dam on Martis Creek, built in 1972 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Soon after it was built, engineers noticed water leaking from it. Because of this, the water level behind the dam has been kept very low ever since to ensure safety. The Army Corps of Engineers is still studying the dam to make sure it is safe.
Wildlife and Nature
The area around Martis Creek is very important for many animals and plants. A special plan, called the Northstar Habitat Management Plan, is being created to help protect the forests, water areas, and meadows near Northstar at Tahoe. These places are home to many sensitive species.
Some of the amazing animals that live here include:
- Northern goshawk (a type of hawk)
- California spotted owl (a type of owl)
- Pileated woodpecker (a large woodpecker)
- American marten (a small mammal like a weasel)
- Mule deer
- Willow flycatcher (a small bird)
- Mountain yellow-legged frog (a type of frog)
- Mountain beaver (a small rodent)
Beavers and Fish
North American beavers have returned to Martis Creek. This is great news for the creek's ecosystem! Beaver dams create deeper ponds, which are excellent homes for fish. Studies have shown that when beavers build dams, fish like trout often become more numerous or grow larger.
Scientists have found old evidence that beavers lived in the Sierra Nevada mountains until the mid-1800s. This was discovered by finding and dating wood from ancient beaver dams. Beaver ponds are especially helpful for cutthroat trout because they provide safe, deep places for adult trout to live, especially in small streams.
Fish in the Past
Before European settlers arrived, Martis Creek was a very important place for the Washoe people to fish all year round. They caught fish like the Lahontan cutthroat trout (LCT) and other smaller fish such as sucker and chub.
In 1978, the California Department of Fish and Game tried to bring Lahontan cutthroat trout back to Martis Creek Reservoir. They first removed other non-native fish. However, this attempt to reintroduce the LCT was not successful.
