Carnero Creek | |
---|---|
Location | |
Country | United States |
State | Colorado |
County | Saguache County |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | Confluence of South Carnero Creek and Middle Carnero Creek |
• coordinates | 37°54′18″N 106°23′36.12″W / 37.90500°N 106.3933667°W [1] |
Mouth | |
• coordinates | 37°51′17″N 106°12′9.1″W / 37.85472°N 106.202528°W [1] |
• elevation | 7,687 feet (2,343 meters) [1] |
Discharge | |
• location | San Luis Closed Basin |
Basin features | |
Progression | San Luis Closed Basin |
Landmarks | Hellgate, Carnero Creek Pictographs |
Carnero Creek is a stream in Saguache County, Colorado. Carnero is a name derived from Spanish meaning 'sheep'. [2]
The creek rises at the confluence of South Fork Carnero Creek and Middle Fork Carnero Creek. North Fork Carnero Creek joins Carnero Creek after this confluence. [1]
Maps show the creek ending in a field between the Rio Grande Canal and U.S. Route 285, its flow lost to irrigation ditch diversions, seepage, and evaporation. [3] [1] This mouth of the creek is within the San Luis Closed Basin.
The creek, a perennial stream, is home to a healthy population of native Rio Grande cutthroat trout. The creek also provides important foraging habitat for peregrine falcons. [4]
The Carnero Creek Pictographs take their name from the creek. The pictographs are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, [5] but their exact location along the creek is not publicly known, though one source indicates they are on the L-Cross Ranch, which lies along the creek near La Garita, Colorado. [4]