Friends of Stevens Creek Trail

[Still a work in process...]

 

Stevens Creek         List of Categories        

  1. How can I help clean up the creek?

  2. What was that bright yellow flowering bush along the creek?

  3. How can I find out when the wild currants are in bloom?

  4. What happened at Central Ave?

  5. Why did the water district shut off the water?

  6. What animals live along the creek corridor?

  7. Are there any programs or activities along the trail/creek?

  8. What wildlife and habitat improvement is going on?

  9. Can I help bring back steelhead trout?

  10. Are there fish in the stream? What kinds? Can I fish for them?

  11. Who manages Stevens Creek?




  1. How can I help clean up the creek?

    Friends of Stevens Creek Trail usually has at least one creek cleanup day each year, often for National or California Trail day in April. Other organizations also host cleanup days, some of which we hear about and try to post information about. Santa Clara Valley Water District is one of the organizations who host creek cleanups. In one recent year they held a creek cleanup day with events at 21 different locations around the county - 2 locations on Stevens Creek at La Avenida Ave and south of El Camino Real.

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  2. What was that bright yellow flowering bush along the creek?

    The bush is a “Fremontia” or the flannel bush (full name is Fremontodendron California Glory). Here are two links that have good pictures and descriptions of it:
    http://www.laspilitas.com/plants/551.htm
    or
    http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Fremontodendreae/CalGlory.html

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  3. How can I find out when the wild currants are in bloom?

    There are wild currants along the trail?

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  4. What happened at Central Ave?

    Finally one I know! During the summer of 2003, Santa Clara Valley Water District rebuilt the Central Ave drops to make them more fish friendly. This meant taking out the single large drop and replacing it with several smaller steps. It also meant changing the wide single drop with barriers which narrow the flow of water so that during periods of low flow, the water is still relatively deep. Thirdly, the new barriers provide pools for holding water and allowing fish to rest as they make their way upstream.

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  5. Why did the water district shut off the water?

    During 2000 and 2001, Santa Clara Valley Water District experimented with allowing more water down the creek during the warm spring and summer months thinking this might provide more habitat for fish and wildlife. What they learned is that having more water flowing meant that the water temperature increased - compromising the habitat. Huh? How does that work?

    Speculation is that when water flow drops, most of the creek actually dries up, but water is still flowing below the ground and is visible only in certain places. The water is only warmed in those few places where it is above ground level. By increasing the flow, more of the creek flows above ground level and the water gets warmer.



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  6. What animals live along the creek corridor?

    Here is a list of the ones we have recorded. Send your sightings to us and we can update this list. Foxes, lizards, turtles, cats, dogs, people, birds, skunks, raccoons, snakes

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  7. Are there any programs or activities along the trail/creek?

    Under investigation.

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  8. What wildlife and habitat improvement is going on?

    This varies from time to time. Past projects include:

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  9. Can I help bring back steelhead trout?

    Under investigation.

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  10. Are there fish in the stream? What kinds? Can I fish for them?

    Yes, there are fish in the creek. Steelhead or Rainbow Trout are the most celebrated of them. Fishing is not allowed in the creek.

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  11. Who manages Stevens Creek?

    The primary organization responsible for stewardship of Stevens Creek is the Santa Clara Valley Water District.

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