West Union Creek facts for kids

West Union Creek is a small stream, about 4.5 miles (7.2 kilometers) long, located in San Mateo County, California, United States. It starts high up on the eastern side of Kings Mountain, which is part of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The creek flows east into a valley created by the famous San Andreas Fault. Near the Phleger Estate, it turns southeast and flows smoothly, which is unusual for a mountain stream. It eventually reaches Adobe Corner in the town of Woodside. There, West Union Creek joins Bear Gulch Creek, which then flows into San Francisquito Creek and finally reaches the San Francisco Bay.

The Story of West Union Creek

Early Land and Lumber

Long ago, in August 1840, the leader of Spanish California gave a large piece of land to a man named John Coppinger. This land later became known as Rancho Cañada de Raymundo. John Coppinger was an Irishman who had become a citizen of Mexico. This huge ranch, covering about 12,545 acres, included the 973 acres that are now Huddart County Park.

The giant redwood trees in this area were very important. People cut down these trees to make lumber, which was then sent to other places. Records from 1841 show that a lot of wood, about 100,000 board feet, was ready to be shipped from a port near Mission Santa Clara. This wood likely came from Coppinger's ranch and was sent all the way to the Hawaiian Islands.

How the Creek Got its Name

Many years later, a man named Willard Whipple was one of the lumbermen in the area. He used to drag logs to the port in Redwood City. The road he used, Whipple's Mill Road, is now known as Whipple Avenue. During the American Civil War, Willard Whipple supported the Union side. Because of this, he named the creek where his sawmills operated 'West Union Creek'.

In 1852, Whipple built his Upper Mill, which used steam power, on the land that is now the Phleger Estate. Today, the Phleger House on this estate is home to Gordon E. Moore, one of the founders of the company Intel.

Understanding the West Union Creek Watershed

What is a Watershed?

A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a single stream, river, or lake. The West Union Creek watershed covers about 7 square miles (18 square kilometers). Many steep, narrow valleys, called gulches, bring water from the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains into West Union Creek. Some of these named gulches are McGarvey Gulch, Squealer Gulch, Tripp Gulch, and Appletree Gulch. McGarvey Gulch meets West Union Creek inside Huddart County Park.

Water Flow and Fish Habitat

Even though West Union Creek often dries up during the summer months, it still has special spots called 'perennial pools'. These are pools that hold water all year round. These pools are very important because they act as safe havens, or 'refugia', for young steelhead trout. Steelhead trout are a type of rainbow trout that migrate from the ocean to freshwater to lay their eggs.

Wildlife and Nature in West Union Creek

The Amazing Steelhead Trout

Steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are a special kind of fish. They travel from the San Francisco Bay into freshwater streams like Bear Creek and its smaller branches, including West Union Creek and Bear Gulch Creek, to lay their eggs. These fish are currently listed as a 'threatened species' under the Endangered Species Act. This means they are at risk of becoming endangered if we don't protect them.

Young steelhead trout, called smolts, live in freshwater for their first two years. They need streams that flow all year, or at least have permanent pools, to survive. West Union Creek is a great home for them. Its path along the San Andreas Fault gives it a gentle slope, which creates excellent habitat. Many natural springs and seeps along the fault also feed the creek. These springs create permanent pools that are vital for the survival of young steelhead.

Helping Fish Migrate

In 2001, a study found 34 obstacles that made it hard for trout to travel in Bear Creek and its branches, including West Union Creek. One big problem was a culvert (a tunnel for water) where McGarvey Gulch creek crossed Richards Road in Huddart County Park. This culvert made it very difficult for both young and adult steelhead to move freely. Thanks to money from the State Department of Transportation, this culvert was rebuilt to help the fish migrate more easily.

Fun Activities at West Union Creek

If you enjoy being outdoors, you can explore hiking trails along West Union Creek. The Miramontes Trail starts in Huddart County Park. You can also reach this area by taking the Crystal Springs Trail, which begins in Edgewood County Park. These trails offer a great way to see the creek and its beautiful surroundings.

See also

• List of watercourses in the San Francisco Bay Area