Walnut Creek (Southern California) facts for kids
Walnut Creek is a stream in Southern California that flows through cities like San Dimas and Covina. It's like a natural water path that helps carry water to the bigger San Gabriel River. The creek starts at Puddingstone Dam, which holds back water in Puddingstone Reservoir. From there, it travels about 13 miles (21 kilometers) west before joining the San Gabriel River in El Monte.
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Exploring Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek is an urban stream in the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California. This means it flows through cities and developed areas. It is a smaller stream that flows into a larger one, making it a tributary of the San Gabriel River.
Where Walnut Creek Flows
The creek begins at the Puddingstone Dam of Puddingstone Reservoir. This is located inside Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. From there, Walnut Creek flows westward for about 13 miles (21 kilometers). It passes through several cities, including San Dimas, Covina, West Covina, and Baldwin Park. Eventually, it joins the San Gabriel River in El Monte.
How Walnut Creek Gets Its Water
Walnut Creek has several smaller streams that feed into it. These are called tributaries. The main ones are Live Oak Wash, Charter Oak Creek, Vine Creek, and the Big Dalton Wash. Live Oak Wash and Big Dalton Wash bring water from the San Gabriel Mountains.
Sometimes, heavy rain in the mountains can cause a lot of water to flow into these washes. This is called orographic precipitation, which happens when moist air rises over mountains and cools, causing rain or snow. Because of past floods, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works built Puddingstone Dam in 1928. They also changed Walnut Creek and most of its tributaries into channels. This helps control the water flow. However, the first 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) of the creek, near San Dimas, still flow freely through a deep, wooded canyon.
Water Sources and Uses
Walnut Creek is a perennial stream, meaning it flows all year round. A lot of its water comes from urban runoff. This is water that flows over streets and other surfaces in cities, often from sprinklers or car washing. During dry summers, Walnut Creek provides most of the water for the San Gabriel River after they meet. This is because the San Gabriel River's water is often used upstream to refill underground water supplies. This process is called groundwater recharge and helps fill the aquifer (an underground layer of water-bearing rock). Even though it flows all year, the creek can sometimes dry up if there isn't enough rain.
Nearby Attractions
Raging Waters Los Angeles, a popular water park, is located right next to Walnut Creek. It is just below Puddingstone Dam.
