Elder Creek (Tehama County)

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 27 miles (43 km)[2] east to its confluence with the Sacramento River about a mile (1.6 km) east of Gerber and 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Tehama. Measured to the head of its longest tributary, the South Fork, Elder Creek has a total length of 42 miles (68 km),[2] draining a watershed of about 150 square miles (390 km²).[3] 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.[5]

Elder Creek
Location of Elder Creek in California
Location
Country	United States
State	California
Physical characteristics
Source	California Coast Ranges
• location	Mendocino National Forest
• coordinates	40°00′48″N 122°33′00″W[1]
• elevation	801 ft (244 m)
Mouth	Sacramento River
• location	Near Gerber
• coordinates	40°02′35″N 122°06′57″W[1]
• elevation	207 ft (63 m)
Length	27 mi (43 km)[2]
Basin size	150.5 sq mi (390 km2)[3]
Discharge
• location	Gerber, California[4]
• average	110 cu ft/s (3.1 m3/s)[4]
• minimum	0 cu ft/s (0 m3/s)
• maximum	14,100 cu ft/s (400 m3/s)

Elder Creek was so named for the elder trees lining its course.[6] A variant name was Arroyo de los Saucos.[1]