Pomponio Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pomponio Creek |
|
|---|---|
The mouth of Waddell Creek at Waddell Beach, in the Rancho Del Oso section of the Big Basin Redwoods State Park
|
|
| Other name(s) | Cañada de la La Salud |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Santa Clara County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of East and West Waddell Creeks in the Big Basin Redwoods State Park 962 ft (293 m) 37°17′49″N 122°18′12″W / 37.29694°N 122.30333°W |
| River mouth | Pacific Ocean 0 ft (0 m) 37°17′53″N 122°24′21″W / 37.29806°N 122.40583°W |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
|
Pomponio Creek is a stream in San Mateo County, California. It flows west for about 7.2 miles (11.6 km). The creek starts high up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It then flows all the way to the Pacific Ocean at Pomponio State Beach.
Contents
History of Pomponio Creek
Pomponio Creek is named after a person called Pomponio. His full name was Ponponio Lupugeyun, also known as José Pomponio Lupugeym. He was a local leader who stood up against the California mission system. Pomponio used to hide in the mountains near where the creek begins.
Where Pomponio Creek Flows
A creek's watershed is all the land where water drains into that creek. Pomponio Creek's watershed is in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The creek flows from these mountains towards the Pacific Ocean.
Pomponio Reservoir
About 6.2 miles (10 km) upstream from where the creek meets the ocean, there is a dam. This dam creates a lake called Pomponio Reservoir. Reservoirs are often used to store water.
Animals and Nature Around Pomponio Creek
The creek is home to different kinds of animals. One important fish found here is the steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). These fish are a type of rainbow trout that live in the ocean and swim upstream to lay their eggs.
Waterfalls and Fish
About 2.3 miles (3.7 km) from the creek's mouth, there is a 15-foot (4.6 m) high waterfall. This waterfall is too tall for steelhead trout to jump over. This means they cannot swim further upstream to lay their eggs.
Protecting the Creek
In 2004, a group called the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) helped protect the land around Pomponio Creek. They bought special rights to the Arata Ranch. This helps keep the creek's watershed healthy and safe for wildlife.
