Spring Creek (Sonoma County, California)

Spring Creek is a waterway located in Sonoma County, California. It is a tributary of the Russian River. The creek originates in the hills east of the town of Sonoma and flows generally westward before emptying into the Russian River near Healdsburg. The watershed area of Spring Creek is relatively small.

Spring Creek, like many waterways in Sonoma County, is important for local ecology. It provides habitat for a variety of fish species, including steelhead trout and salmon, particularly during their spawning runs. The riparian corridor along Spring Creek supports diverse plant and animal life.

Water quality in Spring Creek is a concern, with issues related to agricultural runoff, erosion, and urban development impacting the creek's health. Various efforts are underway to improve water quality and restore the natural habitat along the creek. These efforts include best management practices for agriculture, stream bank stabilization projects, and removal of invasive species.

The creek’s flow can fluctuate significantly depending on rainfall patterns, with periods of high flow during the rainy season and low flow during the dry summer months. This variability impacts the availability of water for both ecological and human uses. Land use within the Spring Creek watershed is primarily agricultural, including vineyards and grazing land.