Mark West Creek

Mark West Creek
Mark West Creek between Windsor Creek and the Russian River
Mark West Creek is located in California
Mark West Creek
Location of the mouth of Mark West Creek in California
EtymologyWilliam Marcus West
Location
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
RegionSonoma County
CitiesMark West, California, Mark West Springs, California
Physical characteristics
SourceMayacamas Mountains
 • location6 mi (10 km) west of St. Helena, California
 • coordinates38°31′3″N 122°33′47″W / 38.51750°N 122.56306°W / 38.51750; -122.56306[1]
 • elevation1,922 ft (586 m)
MouthRussian River
 • location
north of Forestville, California
 • coordinates
38°29′38″N 122°53′35″W / 38.49389°N 122.89306°W / 38.49389; -122.89306[1]
 • elevation
45 ft (14 m)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftWindsor Creek, Mill Creek, Weeks Creek, Van Buren Creek
 • rightLaguna de Santa Rosa, Porter Creek, Humbug Creek

Mark West Creek is a 29.9-mile-long (48.1 km)[2] stream that rises in the Mayacamas Mountains of Sonoma County, California, United States. Tributaries of Mark West Creek include Porter Creek and Hummingbird Creek, both of which originate in the same mountain range. Discharge waters of Mark West Creek reach the Russian River after a confluence with the Laguna de Santa Rosa. The Community Clean Water Institute has developed a program for monitoring pollutants in Mark West Creek.[3]

The four-mile stretch of Mark West Creek from Mark West Lodge to Mark West Creek Road is a challenging class III-V whitewater kayaking run.[4]