Dry Creek (Tuolumne River)

Dry Creek is a stream in Stanislaus County, California, that is a tributary to the Tuolumne River.(USGS) This watercourse has been historically subject to flooding in the vicinity of Modesto, California. Most of the riparian vegetation has been removed by prior activities of humans(Torrey, 1989) beginning in about 1850, at about the time of arrival of significant European peoples to the area.

Route

Dry Creek originates just north of the Modesto Reservoir. It then flows just north of the city of Waterford, California. Continuing east, it flows through Modesto, California. This is the most flood prone area of its route, primarily in the La Loma area. Dry Creek then terminates at its interception with the Tuolumne River adjacent to the E & J Gallo Winery in downtown Modesto. The flooding that occurs is usually from periods of very high flow in the Tuolumne causing Dry Creek to back up.

See also

• Flood control

Bibliography

• John Torrey, Paul Awosika et al., Expanded initial study, Boulder Creek subdivision, Stanislaus County, Earth Metrics, Report 7999: California State Clearinghouse, Sacramento, November, 1989.
• United States Geological Survey (USGS) 7½ Minute Riverbank Quadrangle.