Mill Creek (Tehama County) facts for kids

Mill Creek is a big stream located in northern California. It flows into the Sacramento River from the east. This creek covers an area of about 347 square kilometers (134 square miles). It flows for about 91 kilometers (56.5 miles).

Mill Creek starts in Shasta County, California. It quickly moves into Tehama County, California. The creek's journey begins from a hot spring. This spring is very high up, about 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level. It is found inside Lassen Volcanic National Park.

At first, the creek flows generally south. It winds its way east and west. But for most of its path, it flows southwest. Mill Creek finally meets the Sacramento River. This meeting point is much lower, only about 61 meters (200 feet) high. It is just north of a town called Los Molinos, California.

The Journey of Mill Creek

Mill Creek starts its journey in high, open fields called meadows. It also flows through thick forests. As it moves lower, the creek goes through a steep, narrow valley called a canyon. After the canyon, it reaches the wide Sacramento Valley.

The creek flows for about 8 kilometers (5 miles) in the valley. Then, it joins the Sacramento River.

Why Mill Creek is Healthy

Mill Creek is in great shape! This is because most of its upper parts are protected. They are inside Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lassen National Forest. These protected areas help keep the creek clean and natural.

There are no large dams or big water storage areas on Mill Creek. However, there are some smaller dams. These are called diversion dams. They are used to send water to different places. You can find these dams after the creek reaches the Sacramento Valley.

How Mill Creek Got Its Name

Mill Creek got its name a long time ago, in the 1840s. An explorer was looking at the area. He thought it would be a good place to build watermills. Watermills use the power of flowing water to grind grain. So, he suggested the name "Mill Creek," and it stuck!