Purisima Creek (Santa Clara County) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Purisima Creek |
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Purisima Creek with water in late August (2010) just above O'Keefe Lane. Note invasive non-native Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila).
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| Other name(s) | Purissima Creek |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Santa Clara County |
| Cities | Los Altos Hills, Los Altos |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Los Altos Hills, California 640 ft (200 m) 37°21′38″N 122°08′56″W / 37.36056°N 122.14889°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with Adobe Creek Los Altos, California 239 ft (73 m) 37°22′04″N 122°07′04″W / 37.36778°N 122.11778°W |
Purisima Creek is a small stream about 2 miles (3.2 km) long. It flows east from Los Altos Hills in Santa Clara County, California. This creek eventually joins another stream called Adobe Creek, right after it enters the town of Los Altos.
History of Purisima Creek
Purisima Creek flows through an area that was once part of a large land grant called Rancho La Purísima Concepción. This land was given in 1840 to Jose Gorgonio, a Native American from Mission Santa Clara de Asís.
Later, in 1844, Jose Gorgonio sold the land to Juana Briones de Miranda (1804–1889). She was a very important woman in early California history. In 1861, Juana Briones sold most of her land to Martin Murphy Jr. (1807–1884), who was one of the first settlers to arrive in California by wagon train.
One of the people who started the famous company Hewlett-Packard, David Packard, lived near the upper part of Purisima Creek. His property had a big apricot orchard. Today, this orchard is protected by the town and the Packard Foundation, so everyone can enjoy it.
Where Purisima Creek Flows
Purisima Creek actually starts as two smaller streams, or "forks." These forks flow around the apricot orchards that are now owned by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The main source of the creek is at the top of the west fork.
The "Packard Pathway" is a public trail where people can walk or ride. It goes down the north fork of the creek. The two forks meet at the bottom of the property, forming the main part of Purisima Creek.
From there, the creek flows through an old walnut grove. It then crosses Elena Road and goes along Josefa Lane. It also passes by the edge of Foothill College. Finally, it goes under I-280 and through the O'Keefe Open Space Preserve before joining Adobe Creek in Los Altos.
Plants and Animals of Purisima Creek
The O'Keefe Open Space Preserve helps protect the natural area along about 800 feet (240 meters) of Purisima Creek. This preserve is about 8.2 acres (3.3 hectares) in size.
However, some plants that are not native to this area have started growing along the creek. These non-native plants can take up water and space that native plants need. Some of these plants include:
- Canary Island palm (Phoenix canariensis)
- Common fig (Ficus carica)
- Plum (Prunus)
- Blue gum eucalyptus (Eucalytpus globulus)
- European olive (Olea europaea)
- Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila)
These plants compete with the original plants that naturally grow there, like the beautiful California wildrose (Rosa californica). Protecting the native plants helps keep the creek's ecosystem healthy for all the animals that live there.
