Wolf Valley facts for kids
Wolf Valley is a special kind of valley found in western Riverside County, California. It's part of a larger area called the Elsinore Trough. Imagine the Earth's crust pulling apart, and a section of land drops down between two cracks or "faults"—that's how Wolf Valley was formed! Geologists call this a "graben rift valley."
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What is Wolf Valley?
Wolf Valley is the southernmost valley in the Elsinore Trough. This whole trough was created by a big system of cracks in the Earth called the Elsinore Fault Zone. Think of it like a giant puzzle where pieces of land are slowly moving.
Where is Wolf Valley located?
Wolf Valley sits between two important faults. On its eastern side is the Wildomar Fault, near the Temecula Basin. On its western side is the Willard Fault, at the base of the Santa Ana Mountains.
The valley is located south of Temecula Creek. The southern end of Wolf Valley is where the Elsinore Fault Zone changes direction. This happens along the southern side of Agua Tibia Mountain, which is northeast of Pala Mountain.
Water in the Valley
Water from Wolf Valley flows into Pechanga Creek. This creek has smaller streams that feed into it. Pechanga Creek then flows into the Santa Margarita River. So, all the rain that falls in Wolf Valley eventually makes its way to the ocean through these waterways.
Communities in Wolf Valley
Two important areas are located within Wolf Valley. One is the Pechanga Indian Reservation, home to the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. Part of the city of Temecula also stretches into this valley.
- Head of Wolf Valley 33°26′38″N 117°03′46″W / 33.44389°N 117.06278°W
- Mouth of Wolf Valley 33°28′26″N 117°07′03″W / 33.47389°N 117.11750°W
