Susie Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Susie Creek |
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Susie Creek after management of cattle grazing and return of beaver as shown in 2012 photo below. Courtesy Carol Evans, BLM.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| Region | Elko County |
| City | Carlin, Nevada |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | The south flank of Lone Mountain 6,984 ft (2,129 m) 41°05′18″N 115°57′45″W / 41.08833°N 115.96250°W |
| River mouth | 4,905 ft (1,495 m) 40°43′09″N 116°04′29″W / 40.71917°N 116.07472°W |
Susie Creek is a stream in northeastern Nevada. It flows south for about 35 miles (56 kilometers). The creek starts on the south side of Lone Mountain. It then joins the Humboldt River near Carlin in Elko County.
Contents
History of Susie Creek
In 1849, a Scottish pioneer family was traveling to California. They camped near this stream. They decided to name four creeks after their four daughters. Susie Creek was named after one of them. The other creeks were named Maggie, Mary, and Amelia.
Understanding the Watershed
The Susie Creek watershed is the area of land that drains water into the creek. This watershed covers about 180 square miles (466 square kilometers). The Independence Mountains are to the west of the watershed. The Adobe Range is to the north and east.
Wildlife and Nature
Susie Creek and nearby Maggie Creek have improved a lot over the last 20 years. Ranchers, government groups, mines, and non-profit organizations have worked together. They have used better ways to graze cattle. They also completed special projects, like installing fish-friendly culverts.
Return of Lahontan Cutthroat Trout
These efforts have helped Lahontan cutthroat trout (LCT) return to the creeks. These special fish used to live here but had trouble migrating. Now, they can move freely again. This shows how working together can help bring back important wildlife.
Beavers Helping the Creek
North American beaver (Castor canadensis) are also making a comeback in Elko County. This might be because fewer beavers are being trapped. Also, cattle are eating less of the plants near the water. Beavers build dams, which help the stream in many ways.
Beaver dams make the stream flow more steadily all year. This means more water is available for animals and livestock. It also helps protect the native trout populations.
How We Know It's Working
Organizations like Trout Unlimited have studied the changes. They used satellite images and old photos from 20 to 30 years ago. They compared these to conditions in 2013. For the Susie Creek area, they found amazing improvements:
- Plants along the river grew by over 100 acres.
- Beaver dams increased from zero to 139.
- The amount of open water grew by over 20 acres.
- The length of the wet stream increased by almost three miles.
These changes show how much a stream can recover when people work to protect it.
