Atascadero Creek (Santa Barbara County, California) Explained

Atascadero Creek
Name Etymology:Spanish
Pushpin Map:USA California
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of the mouth in California
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Name1:United States
Subdivision Type2:State
Subdivision Name2:California
Subdivision Type3:Region
Subdivision Name3:Santa Barbara County
Discharge1 Location:More Ranch Road, Goleta, California[1]
Discharge1 Min:0cuft/s
Discharge1 Avg:6.31cuft/s
Discharge1 Max:979cuft/s
Source1 Location:Top of Atascadero Canyon, Santa Ynez Mountains
Source1 Coordinates:34.4681°N -119.7619°W
Source1 Elevation:540feet
Mouth:Goleta Slough
Mouth Coordinates:34.4197°N -119.8289°W
Mouth Elevation:7feet

Atascadero Creek is a southwest flowing stream in Santa Barbara County, California, United States which empties into the Goleta Slough.

Course

Atascadero Creek forms in Atascadero Canyon just east of California State Route 154 (San Marcos Pass Rd.) in Santa Barbara, California. The creek runs south and joins Cieneguitas creek which flows into it from the east. It then curves west at the base of Hope Ranch and defines the northern edge of More Mesa. As it heads west several other southern flowing canyon creeks westward of Atascadero canyon flow into it including Hospital Creek and Maria Ygnacio Creek (which includes the waters of San Antonio Creek). It then joins with the outflow from the Goleta Slough, adjacent to Mescalitan Island, and empties into the Pacific Ocean at Goleta Beach County Park.

History

Since the area just north of the creek as it runs west is part of modern day Goleta and Noleta it shares their history as being farmed by the Chumash Indians, used as grazing for cattle and becoming popular citrus farmland. Gradually after World War II the citrus groves were converted into housing. Today a popular coastal bike path runs adjacent to the creek through most of its westerly course to Goleta Beach and on to the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB).

See also

Notes and References

  1. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/nwisman/?site_no=11120000&agency_cd=USGS Stream gage data