Tule River (Shasta County, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tule River |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Shasta County, California |
| City | Fall River Mills, California |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Ahjumavi Lava Springs 3,310 ft (1,010 m) 41°06′37″N 121°24′42″W / 41.11028°N 121.41167°W |
| River mouth | Fall River, California 3,307 ft (1,008 m) 41°04′20″N 121°27′50″W / 41.07222°N 121.46389°W |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Tule River is a short river, about 5.7 miles (9.2 km) long, located in northern California. It flows into the Fall River. The Tule River starts from many springs and lakes in Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park in Shasta County. Its waters eventually travel through the Pit River and Sacramento River all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Contents
History of the Tule River Area
The Tule River begins in Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park. This park was once the home of a group of Native Americans called the Achomawi. They are one of eleven groups that make up the Pit River Tribe. Their name, "Achomawi," means "where the waters come together."
The land that is now the park was given to the state in 1975. A family named Horr had owned the land since 1944. They used it for logging trees and raising cattle.
The name "Tule River" comes from a common plant called "tule." This plant is a type of bulrush or cattail that grows in wet areas.
Wildlife and Nature in the Tule River
Many groups work to protect the Tule River and its main river, the Fall River. These groups include the Fall River Conservancy and the Fall River Resource Conservation District. They help keep the river and its surrounding areas healthy.
Birds and Other Animals
The lakes and marshlands around the Tule River are very important for birds. They are a major resting stop on the Pacific Flyway. This is a special path that birds use when they migrate. Many birds stop here, like:
Other interesting birds you might see include:
- Lewis’s woodpeckers
- Northern pygmy owls
- Bald eagles
- Ospreys: There are many ospreys here. They build their nests in juniper trees, which is quite special for this area.
On the grasslands, you might spot black-tailed deer and coyotes (Canis latrans). In the marshes, you might see non-native muskrats.
Fish and Other Water Creatures
The Tule River is home to the Shasta crayfish. This crayfish is considered endangered by state and federal groups. It only grows to about three inches long. Its numbers have gone down because other types of crayfish that are not native to the area have been introduced.
Big Lake and Horr Pond are popular spots for fishing. You can fish for warm water fish all year. During trout season, you can also fish for trout. Some of the fish found here include:
- Non-native largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
- Brown bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus)
- Sacramento suckers (Catostomus occidentalis occidentalis)
- Native rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
- Non-native brown trout (Salmo trutta)
The River's Path and Water Sources
The Tule River and its connected lakes drain water from over 11,000 acres of land. It's almost more like a series of lakes than a single river.
The river starts at Ahjumawi Lava Springs in northern Big Lake. From there, the water flows southwest into Horr Pond. Then it continues to the Fall River. Along the way, it gets more water from Ja She Creek and Little Tule River. The Little Tule River itself starts as Lava Creek and flows through Eastman Lake before joining the Tule River.
The lava springs that feed the Big Lake Complex are very important. They provide about 75% of the water in the Fall River. During the summer, they supply about 85% of the water in the Pit River.
