San Francisquito Creek

San Francisquito Creek is a significant watercourse in the San Francisco Bay Area, flowing through Santa Clara County and San Mateo County, and emptying into San Francisco Bay. The creek is approximately 22 miles long and drains a watershed of about 46 square miles, including parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Palo Alto area. The creek's watershed is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including Stanford University's Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve and the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve. The creek also flows through the City of Palo Alto, City of Menlo Park, and City of East Palo Alto.

Geography

San Francisquito Creek originates in the Santa Cruz Mountains, near the Skyline Boulevard and State Route 35 intersection, and flows northwest through the Palo Alto Foothills and the Stanford University campus. The creek then flows through the Palo Alto Baylands and empties into San Francisco Bay, near the Dumbarton Bridge and the City of Menlo Park. The creek's watershed includes parts of the Town of Woodside, Portola Valley, and Atherton, and is bounded by the Saratoga Creek watershed to the south and the Permanente Creek watershed to the north. The creek flows through a variety of landscapes, including Coastal Range hills, valleys, and wetlands, and is influenced by the San Andreas Fault and the Berkeley Hills.

Hydrology

San Francisquito Creek is a perennial stream, with a flow regime that is influenced by rainfall and groundwater recharge. The creek's flow is also affected by the tides of San Francisco Bay, which can cause the creek's flow to reverse during high tide. The creek's watershed is characterized by a Mediterranean climate, with most of the precipitation falling between November and March. The creek's flow is monitored by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) at a gauging station near the City of Palo Alto, and is also influenced by the Santa Clara Valley Water District and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The creek's hydrology is also connected to the Guadalupe River and the Coyote Creek watersheds.

History

San Francisquito Creek has been an important resource for the Ohlone people and other indigenous groups for thousands of years, providing fish, shellfish, and other food sources. The creek was also an important transportation route for the Spanish Empire and the Mexican Republic, with the El Camino Real trail following the creek's course. The creek's watershed was also home to several missions, including the Mission San Jose and the Mission Santa Clara de Asis. The creek's history is also tied to the California Gold Rush and the Transcontinental Railroad, with the creek's watershed being an important source of lumber and other natural resources. The creek has also been impacted by the Loma Prieta earthquake and the 1989 World Series.

Ecology

San Francisquito Creek supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, including coho salmon, steelhead trout, and tidal marsh plants. The creek's watershed is also home to several endangered species, including the California red-legged frog and the San Francisco garter snake. The creek's ecology is influenced by the San Francisco Bay Estuary and the Pacific Ocean, and is also connected to the Monterey Bay and the Gulf of the Farallones. The creek's watershed is also an important stopover for migratory birds, including the western sandpiper and the semipalmated plover. The creek's ecology is managed by the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.

Recreation

San Francisquito Creek offers a range of recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, and birdwatching. The creek's watershed is home to several parks and open spaces, including the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve and the Stanford University campus. The creek is also popular for fishing and kayaking, with several launch points and fishing access points along the creek's course. The creek's watershed is also home to several golf courses, including the Stanford Golf Course and the Shoreline Golf Links. The creek's recreation opportunities are managed by the City of Palo Alto, the City of Menlo Park, and the San Mateo County Parks Department.

Management

San Francisquito Creek is managed by a range of agencies and organizations, including the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The creek's management is focused on flood control, water quality, and habitat restoration, with several projects underway to restore the creek's wetlands and riparian habitats. The creek's management is also influenced by the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, with several environmental organizations involved in the creek's management, including the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society. The creek's management is also connected to the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Category:Rivers of California