West Fork San Gabriel River | |
Map Size: | 250 |
Pushpin Map: | USA California |
Pushpin Map Size: | 250 |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the West Fork in California |
Subdivision Type1: | Country |
Subdivision Name1: | United States |
Subdivision Type2: | State |
Subdivision Name2: | California |
Length: | 19miles |
Discharge1 Location: | Camp Rincon, near the mouth[1] |
Discharge1 Min: | 1.7cuft/s |
Discharge1 Avg: | 71cuft/s[2] |
Discharge1 Max: | 34000cuft/s |
Source1: | Red Box Gap |
Source1 Location: | Angeles National Forest |
Source1 Coordinates: | 34.2581°N -118.1036°W[3] |
Source1 Elevation: | 4530feet |
Mouth: | San Gabriel River |
Mouth Location: | San Gabriel Reservoir |
Mouth Coordinates: | 34.2397°N -117.8567°W |
Mouth Elevation: | 1473feet |
Basin Size: | 104sqmi |
The West Fork is one of two major streams, the other being the East Fork, that combine to form the San Gabriel River in Los Angeles County, California. The West Fork flows for 19miles[3] in an easterly direction from its origins at Red Box Gap, in the San Gabriel Mountains, eventually reaching San Gabriel Reservoir where it is bridged by SR 39 just above its mouth.
The major tributaries of the West Fork, from upstream to downstream, are Devil Creek, Bear Creek and the North Fork San Gabriel River. A large portion of the watershed is situated in the San Gabriel Wilderness, whose southern boundary is formed by the West Fork. Cogswell Dam impounds the river to create the 10785acre feet Cogswell Reservoir, whose primary function is flood and silt control for the San Gabriel Valley.The West Fork of the San Gabriel River is a refuge for Southern California wild rainbow trout.[4]