Salmon Creek (Sonoma County, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Salmon Creek |
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Salmon Creek near Freestone, California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Sonoma County |
| Cities | Occidental, Freestone, Bodega, Salmon Creek |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 2 mi (3 km) west of Occidental, California 800 ft (240 m) 38°23′34″N 122°58′22″W / 38.39278°N 122.97278°W |
| River mouth | Pacific Ocean west of Salmon Creek, California 0 ft (0 m) 38°21′18″N 123°4′4″W / 38.35500°N 123.06778°W |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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Salmon Creek is a stream in western Sonoma County, California. It is about 18 miles (29.5 km) long. The creek starts in the hills west of Occidental and flows into the Pacific Ocean. This happens north of a place called Bodega Head.
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Where Does Salmon Creek Flow?
Salmon Creek begins about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Occidental. It starts near the meeting point of Joy Road and Bittner Road. The creek then flows east, following Bittner Road. It passes just south of Occidental.
After Occidental, the creek turns right and follows Bohemian Highway. It continues to the town of Freestone. From Freestone, it curves south and then west. It flows past the historic Watson School park. The creek follows Bodega Highway.
Near the town of Bodega, Salmon Creek meets Nolan Creek. It then flows through Bodega itself. After Bodega, it follows Salmon Creek Road west into a narrow canyon. Here, other creeks join it, like Tannery Creek, Fay Creek, Coleman Valley Creek, and Finley Creek.
Salmon Creek leaves this canyon between Irish Hill and Coleman Hill. It crosses State Route 1. Finally, it flows along Bean Avenue to Salmon Creek Beach. The creek cuts through the beach as it enters the Pacific Ocean.
A Look Back: Salmon Creek's History
When European explorers first arrived at Salmon Creek, they found Coast Miwok people living there. The Coast Miwok are a Native American group. Historians have confirmed six Coast Miwok villages near the creek.
- Pulya-lakum was near the mouth of the creek.
- Kennekono and Suwutenne were close to where Bodega is today.
- Three other villages, Oye-yomi, Pakahuwe, and Patawa-yomi, were near modern-day Freestone.
In the 1840s, a large part of the Salmon Creek area became part of a land grant. This grant was called Rancho Bodega. It was given to Captain Stephen Smith.
Later, in 1873, a railroad was built along Salmon Creek. The North Pacific Coast Railroad built a narrow-gauge line. This line connected Freestone and Occidental. It was part of a longer route from Sausalito to Cazadero.
What Animals Live in Salmon Creek?
In the year 2000, Salmon Creek and its smaller streams were home to steelhead trout. These are a type of fish. The creek also had California freshwater shrimp. Coho salmon were also known to live in Salmon Creek and Tannery Creek.
However, by 2006, the salmon stopped coming to the creek. To help the creek, a plan was made in 2010. This plan suggested ways to bring back water flow during dry seasons. One idea was to collect rainwater from rooftops. Another was to bring back Golden Beavers.
Beavers used to live here a long time ago. Explorers in the early 1800s found signs of beavers. In 2009 and 2010, the California Department of Fish and Game helped reintroduce coho salmon into Salmon Creek.
Salmon Creek is also the only place where a very rare plant grows. This plant is called Baker's larkspur. It is almost extinct, meaning it is close to disappearing forever.
How Many Bridges Cross Salmon Creek?
At least seven bridges cross over Salmon Creek. The newest and longest bridge is on State Route 1. It is about 200 feet (61 meters) long and was built in 1983.
The oldest bridge is on Freestone Flat Road. It is a steel truss bridge, 103 feet (31 meters) long, built in 1955. Bodega Highway crosses the creek in two different spots. One bridge is 92 feet (28 meters) long and was built in 1962. The other is 76 feet (23 meters) long, built in 1968.
Salmon Creek Road has a bridge that is 78 feet (24 meters) long, built in 1958. Bohemian Highway crosses on a 70-foot (21 meters) bridge from 1971. Finally, Scouts Camp Road has a 57-foot (17 meters) bridge built in 1960.
