Mississippi Creek facts for kids

Mississippi Creek is a small stream, also called a tributary, that flows into a larger stream called Pacheco Creek. You can find Mississippi Creek in Santa Clara County, California. It's an important part of the local water system.

Where Does Mississippi Creek Start and End?

Mississippi Creek begins high up on the south side of Bear Mountain. This mountain is part of the Diablo Range in Santa Clara County. The place where the creek starts is called its source.

The creek then flows until it meets another stream called the North Fork Pacheco Creek. The spot where two streams join is called a confluence. This meeting point is also known as the creek's mouth. It's located at an elevation of about 866 feet (264 meters) above sea level.

Mississippi Lake: A Special Part of the Creek

A long time ago, in the 1900s, people built a dam on Mississippi Creek. This dam created a lake in a valley called Valle Atravesado. A lake created by a dam is called a reservoir.

This reservoir was first named Murray Lake. It was named after a person named Murray Hopkins. He was the one who built the reservoir. Murray Hopkins also built a long road, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) long, called County Line Road. This road runs along the top of the Diablo Range.

Today, Murray Lake is known as Mississippi Lake, and the dam is called Mississippi Dam. This lake is an important feature along the creek's path.