Temecula Creek

Temecula Creek, formerly known as the Temecula River,^[2] runs 32.6 miles (52.5 km)^[3] through southern Riverside County, California, USA, past the rural communities of the Temecula Valley along the State Route 79 corridor, such as Aguanga, and ending 0.5 miles (0.80 km) southeast of the city of Temecula. The creek is filled with boulders, and is typically dry and sandy. It is a relatively undeveloped coastal-draining watershed.^[4] Until the 1920s water flowed in Temecula Creek year-round.^[5]

History

A Luiseño Indian rancheria named Temeca or Temeko was named as early as 1785. In 1828 Temecula became the name of a rancho of Mission San Luis Rey. Alfred Kroeber noted that the name may be derived from the Luiseño word temet meaning "sun".^[6] The village of Temecula originated on a bluff on the south bank of Temecula Creek opposite the old Wolf's Store according to an 1853 survey.^[7]

In 1948, the owners of the Vail Ranch built a 132-foot-high (40 m) dam on Temecula Creek, the Vail Lake Dam, approximately 10 miles (16 km) above the confluence with the Santa Margarita River. Today the lake is a private recreational use area.

Watershed

Temecula Creek originates on the north slope of Aguanga Mountain, flows northeast 1 mile (1.6 km) to Dodge Valley, where it continues northwest through Dodge Valley, Oak Grove Valley, Dameron Valley, Aguanga Valley, Radec Valley, Butterfield Valley, to Vail Lake Reservoir, after which it flows southwest through Paula Valley to Temecula Valley where it joins Murrieta Creek.^[1] Temecula Creek has a slightly larger drainage area than Murrieta Creek. The Santa Margarita River begins at the confluence of the two creeks.^[8]

With the encroachment of homes on both sides of Temecula Creek, portions may be channelized.

Tributaries of Temecula Creek

• Pechanga Creek
• Vail Lake Dam, Vail Lake
  • Kolb Creek
    • Arroyo Seco Creek
  • Wilson Creek
• Long Canyon Creek
• Cottonwood Creek
• Tule Creek
• Chihuahua Creek
• Rattlesnake Creek
• Kohler Canyon

Ecology

Biologically diverse, supporting both coastal and desert fauna and flora, it is bounded by the Agua Tibia Wilderness area and the Cleveland National Forest. The creek supports coastal sage scrub, including Jojoba, alluvial fan scrub, mesquite bosque mix, Coast Live Oak woodland, and mature Fremont Cottonwood-willow woodland.^[9]

In addition to riparian breeders, birds include Least Bell's Vireo, Nuttall's quail, Ladder-backed woodpecker, and California and Gambel's quail. Arroyo Southwestern Toad are also found in Temecula Creek.^[9]

North American beaver (Castor canadensis) living on Temecula Creek, for example at its confluence with Murrieta Creek, may gradually raise the water table and return portions of the stream to perennial flow.^[10] However, cattle grazing along Temecula Creek have injured its understory.^[9]

References