San Antonio Creek (Santa Clara County) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Antonio Creek |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Santa Clara County |
| City | San Antonio Valley, California |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Southwest slopes of Mount Stakes in the Diablo Range 3,177 ft (968 m) 37°18′36″N 121°24′54″W / 37.31000°N 121.41500°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with Arroyo Bayo to form source of Arroyo Valle 1,808 ft (551 m) 37°23′08″N 121°34′21″W / 37.38556°N 121.57250°W |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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San Antonio Creek is a stream in California, United States. It flows about 24.4 kilometers (15 miles) long. This creek starts in Santa Clara County. It is located near the border with Stanislaus County.
Contents
History of San Antonio Creek
Early Names for the Area
On April 5, 1776, a group of explorers came through this area. It was the de Anza Expedition. They named the area El Cañada de San Vicente. This means "The Canyon of San Vicente."
How the Name Changed
Later maps showed different names for the creek. A 1956 map called it San Antone. This is how many local people still say the name. The 1924 U.S. Geological Survey map also used the spelling San Antone.
Where San Antonio Creek Flows
The Creek's Journey
San Antonio Creek begins high up on Mount Stakes. It starts at about 3,177 feet (968 meters) above sea level. From there, it flows down into the San Antonio Valley.
Joining Other Streams
As it flows, other smaller streams join San Antonio Creek. These are called tributaries.
- Beauregard Creek joins from the right side.
- Jumpoff Creek joins from the left side.
- Long Gulch also joins from the right side.
Eventually, San Antonio Creek meets another stream called Arroyo Bayo. When they meet, they form a new stream called Arroyo Valle. Arroyo Valle then flows into Lake Del Valle. After the lake, it joins Arroyo de la Laguna, which then flows into Alameda Creek. Finally, Alameda Creek empties into the San Francisco Bay.
When the Creeks Flow
San Antonio Creek and Beauregard Creek do not always have water. They are called ephemeral streams. This means they only flow after it rains a lot.
Wildlife and Nature in the Area
San Antonio Valley Ecological Reserve
The area around the creek is home to a special place. It is called the San Antonio Valley Ecological Reserve. This nature preserve is very large, covering 3,282 acres. A group called the Nature Conservancy helped create it. They bought the land from a local rancher.
Animals You Might See
This reserve is famous for its herd of tule elk. Tule elk are a type of deer. They are native to California. You might also wonder about fish in the creek. There is no old evidence that steelhead trout lived in San Antonio Creek. However, Arroyo Valle, which is formed by San Antonio Creek, used to have many fish.
