Tecate Creek facts for kids
Tecate Creek is a stream that flows through both the United States and Mexico. It starts in southern California and then crosses into Baja California, Mexico. This creek is an important part of the water system in the region, eventually joining a larger river that flows to the Pacific Ocean.
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What is Tecate Creek?
Tecate Creek is a natural waterway, like a small river. It begins in the mountains and flows downhill, carrying water. Streams like Tecate Creek are important because they provide water for plants and animals, and they are part of the larger water cycle.
Where Does Tecate Creek Start?
The journey of Tecate Creek begins in the In-Ko-Pah Mountains in southern San Diego County, California, in the United States. The very beginning of a stream, where it starts, is called its "headwaters." Near its start, the creek flows close to a place called Live Oak Springs. In its upper parts, while it's still in the U.S., this stream is also known as Campo Creek.
How Long is Tecate Creek?
The part of Tecate Creek that flows through Mexico is about 29.9 kilometers (about 18.6 miles) long. When you add the length of Campo Creek in the U.S. to it, the total length of the stream is about 57.5 kilometers (about 35.7 miles). This makes Tecate Creek one of the longest streams that feeds into the Tijuana River.
Where Does Tecate Creek Go?
From its starting point, Tecate Creek flows towards the southwest. It crosses the border between Mexico and the United States near a place called Canyon City. Once it's in Mexico, it flows right through the city of Tecate, Baja California.
After passing through Tecate, the creek goes through a narrow, deep valley known as a gorge. For a short distance, it even re-enters the United States. Here, it meets another stream called Cottonwood Creek. When these two creeks join, they form a new stream called the Rio Alamar. The Rio Alamar then flows into the Tijuana River in the central part of the city of Tijuana, Mexico. The Tijuana River eventually flows into the Pacific Ocean.
