Branciforte Creek | |
Map Size: | 300 |
Pushpin Map: | USA California |
Pushpin Map Size: | 300 |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the mouth of Branciforte Creek in California |
Subdivision Type1: | Country |
Subdivision Name1: | United States |
Subdivision Type2: | State |
Subdivision Name2: | California |
Subdivision Type3: | Region |
Subdivision Type4: | Counties |
Subdivision Name4: | Santa Cruz |
Subdivision Type5: | Cities |
Length: | 9miles |
Source1: | Santa Cruz Mountains |
Source1 Location: | near Laurel |
Source1 Coordinates: | 37.0838°N -121.9702°W |
Source1 Elevation: | 1000feet |
Mouth: | San Lorenzo River |
Mouth Location: | Santa Cruz |
Mouth Coordinates: | 36.9869°N -122.0139°W |
Mouth Elevation: | 43feet |
Basin Size: | 7.1sqmi |
Tributaries Left: | Crystal Creek |
Tributaries Right: | Blackburn Gulch, Tie Gulch, Granite Creek, Redwood Creek, Carbonera Creek |
Branciforte Creek is a 5.8miles long[1] watercourse in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. Branciforte Creek rises on the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains and discharges to the San Lorenzo River, which in turn empties into the Pacific Ocean. Within the State of California Branciforte Creek is classified within the Central Coast Basin.[2] As of the year 2002, the State of California has designated Branciforte Creek as impaired with respect to turbidity and pathogens. The Branciforte watershed consists of 6231acres, approximately 70 percent of which is covered with mixed evergreen forest, conifer forest and other undisturbed habitats.[3]
In 2001, a stream restoration project was funded by the State of California to remove barriers to anadromous fish migration in Branciforte Creek, with emphasis upon enhancing juvenile migration.[4] [5] Ongoing flood control maintenance is performed on certain lower reaches of Branciforte Creek.[6]