San Jose Creek facts for kids
San Jose Creek is a stream in Los Angeles County, California. It flows into the San Gabriel River. This creek is special because it's an intermittent stream, meaning it doesn't always have water flowing in it. Sometimes it's dry, especially during hot, dry seasons. It's also a tributary, which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger river.
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Where Does San Jose Creek Begin and End?
The Creek's Starting Point
San Jose Creek starts high up, about 960 feet (293 meters) above sea level. This starting point is near the Los Angeles County Fairplex. Here, it meets another stream called Thompson Wash. Thompson Wash is actually a part of the same creek system that stretches into the San Gabriel Mountains.
The Creek's Journey
From Thompson Wash, San Jose Creek flows for about 20 miles (32 kilometers) towards the west. It travels from the city of Pomona through two important areas: the Pomona Valley and the San Gabriel Valley.
Where the Creek Ends
The journey of San Jose Creek ends when it joins the San Gabriel River. This meeting point is called a confluence. It's located about 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) southwest of a place called Bassett, California. At this spot, the creek is much lower, only about 194 feet (59 meters) above sea level.
San Jose Creek Through History
An Important Stop on the Old Spanish Trail
Long ago, in 1829, San Jose Creek was a very important stopping place. It was part of the Old Spanish Trail. This trail was a famous route used for trade and travel. A person named Antonio Armijo was one of the first to use this trail. Imagine travelers and traders stopping by the creek for water and rest after a long journey!
Part of a Historic Ranch
Later, in 1837, a large area of land around the upper parts of San Jose Creek became part of a big property called the Rancho San Jose. This ranch was a significant part of California's history during that time.
