Usal Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Usal Creek |
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Lost Coast viewed from the south side of Usal Creek
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 Location of the mouth in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Mendocino County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Kenny, California (site) 1,580 ft (480 m) 39°55′19″N 123°53′55″W / 39.92194°N 123.89861°W |
| River mouth | Pacific Ocean Usal, California (site) 0 ft (0 m) 39°49′57″N 123°51′07″W / 39.83250°N 123.85194°W |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 28 sq mi (73 km2) |
Usal Creek is a beautiful stream located on California's Lost Coast. This area is a wild and undeveloped part of the coastline. The creek is about 9.7 miles (15.6 km) long. It drains an area of about 28 square miles (73 km²). All the water from this area flows into Usal Creek. The creek then empties into the Pacific Ocean near a place called Usal.
A dirt road goes along the coast near Usal Creek. This road crosses the creek close to the ocean. Sometimes, the bridge over the creek is removed during winter. This helps protect the area from floods.
Where Usal Creek Flows
Usal Creek flows through a valley. This valley is nestled between two mountain ridges. These ridges are part of the California Coast Ranges. The creek has two main branches. The longer one is called the North Fork. It starts from springs that once supplied water to the old town of Kenny. The shorter branch is the South Fork.
The main creek flows southwest after these two branches join. It goes through a gap in the coastal ridge. Several smaller streams also flow into Usal Creek. These include Julias Creek, Soldier Creek, Little Bear Creek, Bear Creek, and Chimney Rock Creek. These smaller streams start high up, around 1,600 feet (490 meters) above sea level.
History of Usal Creek
In 1889, a company called USA Lumber (USAL) built a sawmill at the mouth of Usal Creek. A sawmill is a place where logs are cut into lumber. They also built a long pier, about 1,600 feet (490 meters) long. This pier was used to load lumber onto ships called coastal schooners. These ships would carry the lumber away.
The company also built a railroad. It was about 3 miles (4.8 km) long. This railroad went up Usal Creek. Its purpose was to bring logs from the forest to the sawmill.
In 1894, a man named Robert Dollar bought the Usal Redwood Company. His other lumber company needed more timber. In 1896, Dollar bought a steamship named Newsboy. This ship helped transport lumber from Usal to San Francisco.
A big fire happened in 1902. It destroyed the sawmill, a warehouse, and a school. The county bridge over Usal Creek was also burned down. After the fire, the railroad was taken apart. Its rails were then used at another sawmill. This sawmill was located at the mouth of Big River.
Some buildings, like a hotel, survived the 1902 fire. But they were later destroyed by another fire in 1969. The spot where the hotel once stood is now a campground. This campground is part of Sinkyone Wilderness State Park.
Today, most of the land around Usal Creek is privately owned. It is used for growing trees for lumber. About 70% of the area is covered with redwood forests. Another 20% has hardwood forests. Only two homes are left in the entire Usal Creek area.
Images for kids
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Lost Coast viewed from the south side of Usal Creek
