| Elder Creek | |
| Map Size: | 250 |
| Pushpin Map: | USA California |
| Pushpin Map Size: | 250 |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of Elder Creek in California |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | United States |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | California |
| Length: | 27miles[1] |
| Discharge1 Location: | Gerber, California[2] |
| Discharge1 Min: | 0cuft/s |
| Discharge1 Avg: | 110cuft/s[3] |
| Discharge1 Max: | 14100cuft/s |
| Source1: | California Coast Ranges |
| Source1 Location: | Mendocino National Forest |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 40.0133°N -122.55°W[4] |
| Source1 Elevation: | 801feet |
| Mouth: | Sacramento River |
| Mouth Location: | Near Gerber |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 40.0431°N -122.1158°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 207feet |
| Basin Size: | 150.5sqmi[5] |
Elder Creek is a major stream in Tehama County, California and a tributary of the Sacramento River. It originates at the confluence of its North, Middle and South Forks, which begin in the Mendocino National Forest, and flows 27miles[1] east to its confluence with the Sacramento River about a mile (1.6 km) east of Gerber and 2miles north of Tehama. Measured to the head of its longest tributary, the South Fork, Elder Creek has a total length of 42miles,[1] draining a watershed of about 150mi2.[5] Like the other streams draining this part of the western Sacramento Valley, Elder Creek is a highly seasonal stream that flows only during the winter and spring.[6]
Elder Creek was so named for the elder trees lining its course.[7] A variant name was Arroyo de los Saucos.[4]