Sausal Creek
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sausal Creek is one of the principal watercourses in Oakland, California. The north fork of the creek, also known as Shepherd Creek, begins in the hills above Oakland, running down Shepherd Canyon. The south fork, also known as Palo Seco Creek, also begins in the hills, and runs down Palo Seco Canyon to a confluence with the north fork in the linear valley where the Montclair district is situated. The creek then cuts through the shutter ridge which defines the linear valley (formed by the Hayward Fault), and runs down to the flatlands through Dimond Canyon. It then runs southwest across the flatlands to empty into San Francisco Bay. The creek is mostly open in the hills section, and runs in culverts through the flats.
The creek derives its name from the Spanish word for willow grove (sausal). Native arroyo willows were once common along its banks. Efforts are underway to restore the willows and the creek itself.
