Sangre de Cristo Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sangre de Cristo Creek |
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The creek near Fort Garland, viewed from a bridge on Trinchera Ranch Road North.
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | La Veta Pass 37°36′56″N 105°11′35″W / 37.61556°N 105.19306°W |
| River mouth | Smith Reservoir 7,730 feet (2,360 meters) 37°23′54″N 105°31′25″W / 37.39833°N 105.52361°W |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Trinchera Creek — Rio Grande |
Sangre de Cristo Creek is a cool stream located in Costilla County, Colorado. Imagine it as a small river that starts high up in the mountains! It begins its journey way up at La Veta Pass in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
As the creek flows, it travels right next to Highway 160. It winds its way down from the top of the pass into a big, flat area called the San Luis Valley.
The creek's adventure ends when it reaches Smith Reservoir, which is a large lake south of a town called Blanca. Before this reservoir was built, the creek used to join another stream called Trinchera Creek. Sangre de Cristo Creek is actually a smaller stream that flows into Trinchera Creek, making it a 'tributary'.
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What is Sangre de Cristo Creek?
Sangre de Cristo Creek is a natural waterway, like a small river. It's an important part of the environment in Costilla County, Colorado. Streams like this help carry water across the land. They also provide homes for plants and animals.
Where Does It Begin?
The creek starts high up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Its exact beginning is near La Veta Pass. A 'pass' is a low point between mountains, often used for roads or trails. So, the creek begins its flow from a high elevation, collecting water from melting snow and rainfall.
The Creek's Journey
As Sangre de Cristo Creek flows, it follows the path of Highway 160. This highway goes down from the mountain pass into a wide, flat area. This flat area is known as the San Luis Valley. The creek helps drain water from the mountains into this valley.
Where Does It End?
The journey of Sangre de Cristo Creek ends at Smith Reservoir. A 'reservoir' is a large artificial lake. It's built to store water, often for people to use. This reservoir is located south of the town of Blanca.
Before the reservoir was created, the creek would have flowed into Trinchera Creek. Sangre de Cristo Creek is a 'tributary' of Trinchera Creek. This means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger one. Trinchera Creek then eventually flows into the much larger Rio Grande.
