Rice Canyon Creek facts for kids
Rice Canyon Creek is a natural waterway, sometimes called a creek or an arroyo, located in Riverside County, California. It flows into Temescal Creek.
This creek starts high up in the Santa Ana Mountains, about 3,440 feet above sea level. It then flows down through Rice Canyon. The creek eventually reaches Temescal Creek near Alberhill, California, at a lower elevation of about 1,220 feet. Another smaller creek, Bishop Canyon Creek, joins Rice Canyon Creek not far from the canyon's start.
Rice Canyon Creek doesn't always have water flowing on its surface. During the rainy season, the upper parts of the creek usually have water. However, the lower parts, especially below a narrow section of the canyon, often dry up. Water only flows there after heavy rains. Even in dry years, some small pools of water can remain in the upper areas. In modern times, mining for clay has changed how the creek flows, sometimes stopping its surface water from reaching Temescal Creek.
Plants of Rice Canyon
Rice Canyon is home to different types of plants. Along the creek and on the lower, sunnier slopes of the canyon, you'll find oak trees. The shadier, north-facing slopes are covered in chaparral, which is a type of dense shrubland.
Trees like sycamore and cottonwood grow along the creek. These trees are found in spots where water stays, even if it's underground during the dry season. Near the narrow parts of the canyon, you can see cottonwoods, oaks, and sycamores mixed with coastal sage scrub. This scrubland also covers the canyon slopes, especially near the mouth of the canyon.
A special plant found here is the Humboldt Lily. These beautiful lilies bloom near the creek in late June to early July. They are often seen around the narrow section of the canyon. The Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, with its bright yellow and black wings, also lives in the canyon. These butterflies help pollinate the lilies as they fly from flower to flower.
Animals of Rice Canyon
Rice Canyon is home to many different kinds of wildlife. You might spot larger animals like the mountain lion, mule deer, bobcat, and coyote. Smaller mammals include raccoons, gray foxes, spotted skunks, and wood rats.
Birds soaring above the canyon include ravens and red-tailed hawks. You might also hear the unique song of the canyon wren.
Snakes are also part of the canyon's ecosystem. Some types found here are the speckled rattlesnake, the Pacific rattlesnake, and the rosy boa.
