Arroyo Grande Creek

Arroyo Grande Creek
Lopez Lake and Dam on Arroyo Grande Creek
Arroyo Grande Creek is located in California
Arroyo Grande Creek
Location of Arroyo Grande Creek in California
Location
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
Physical characteristics
SourceSanta Lucia Range
 • locationNorth of Huasna
 • coordinates35°11′55″N 120°23′00″W / 35.19861°N 120.38333°W / 35.19861; -120.38333[1]
 • elevation1,307 ft (398 m)
MouthPacific Ocean
 • location
Pismo State Beach
 • coordinates
35°06′03″N 120°37′52″W / 35.10083°N 120.63111°W / 35.10083; -120.63111[1]
 • elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Length22 mi (35 km)[2]
Basin size153 sq mi (400 km2)[3]
Discharge 
 • locationabove Arroyo Grande[4]
 • average19.7 cu ft/s (0.56 m3/s)[5]
 • minimum0 cu ft/s (0 m3/s)
 • maximum5,400 cu ft/s (150 m3/s)

Arroyo Grande Creek is a major stream in San Luis Obispo County on the Central Coast of California. The creek flows 22 miles (35 km)[2] in a southwesterly direction, from the Santa Lucia Range to the Pacific Ocean. It is a major source of water supply for southern San Luis Obispo County.

The creek's name is derived from the Spanish for "large watercourse", and was sometimes called the "Roaring Grande" in the 19th century due to its propensity for flooding. The city of Arroyo Grande, established in 1867, was named after the stream.[6]

  1. ^ a b "Arroyo Grande Creek". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. 1981-01-19. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  2. ^ a b "National Hydrography Dataset via National Map Viewer". U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2009 WMP was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "USGS Gage #11141500 Arroyo Grande at Arroyo Grande, CA". National Water Information System. U.S. Geological Survey. Oct 1939 – Sep 1986. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  5. ^ "USGS Gage #11141500 Arroyo Grande at Arroyo Grande, CA". National Water Information System. U.S. Geological Survey. Oct 1939 – Sep 1986. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  6. ^ "Historical Context Statement and Survey Report, City of Arroyo Grande, California". City of Arroyo Grande. 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2018-10-03.