Sespe Creek ( Chumash : S'eqp'e' , "Kneecap") is a stream , some 61 miles (98 km) long, in Ventura County , southern California , in the Western United States. The creek starts at Potrero Seco in the eastern Sierra Madre Mountains , and is formed by more than thirty tributary streams of the Sierra Madre and Topatopa Mountains , before it empties into the Santa Clara River in Fillmore .
31-483: Thirty-one miles (50 km) of Sespe Creek is designated as a National Wild and Scenic River and National Scenic Waterway, and is untouched by dams or concrete channels. It is one of the last wild rivers in Southern California . It is primarily within the southern Los Padres National Forest . The name Sespe can be traced to a Chumash Indian village, called Cepsey , Sek-pe or S'eqpe' ("Kneecap") in
62-457: A USFS Fire Crew Chief, James Jeffery, saw beaver dams about 1.5 miles above Beaver Camp in 1969-1970 (personal communication R. Bisaccia Jan. 2011). Alasdair Coyne reports seeing a beaver dam at Willett Hot Springs about ten miles east of Rose Valley on the Sespe, in 2000 (personal communication A. Coyne Jan. 2011). National Wild and Scenic River The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
93-739: A grizzly in the vicinity of the Sespe Hot Springs and Alder Creek. The Sespe is one of southern California's last free flowing southern Steelhead trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus ) streams. The confluence of Sespe Creek with the Santa Clara River provides an important connection to upland systems and potential migration corridor for four endangered species: southwestern willow flycatcher ( Empidonax traillii extimus ), least Bell's vireo ( Vireo bellii pusillus ), arroyo toad ( Bufo microscaphus californicus ), and California red-legged frog ( Rana aurora draytonii ). The Sespe Creek population
124-661: Is Chipik , spelled "č'ǝpǝk'" in Barbareño and "tšǝ'pǝk" (Timothy Henry personal communication 2011-01-23), and "č'ɨpɨk" in Ineseño (Samala). Taken together, these facts support the hypothesis that beaver ranged throughout Santa Barbara County, California and Ventura County, California . There is a Beaver Campground on Sespe Creek. Andy Bisaccia recalls taking Boy Scouts camping there between 1938 and 1944 and remembers seeing beaver, their dams, and lodges, and that they could be observed off of Highway 33 in that vicinity. Another eyewitness,
155-402: Is not related to the value(s) that made it worthy of designation. For instance, recreation may not be an outstanding value on a river with a recreational classification, nor scenery on a river classified as scenic. Notably, Wild and Scenic Rivers receive the same standard of protection regardless of classification. Ventura County, California Too Many Requests If you report this error to
186-610: Is the largest known arroyo toad habitat within its current range. The Sespe Creek watershed has the 53,000-acre (210 km) Sespe Condor Sanctuary created in 1947. It protects wilderness habitat of the critically endangered species , the Gymnogyps californianus (California condor). The discovery of a male adult California golden beaver ( Castor canadensis subauratus ) specimen collected as "wild caught" in May, 1906 (just prior to California instituting statewide protection from 1911–1925) "along
217-715: The American Museum of Natural History . Although the California Department of Fish and Game re-introduced beaver throughout California the first documented restocking was 1923, well after the 1906 Sespe Creek specimen was collected. The authenticity of the Sespe Creek specimen is supported by reports of beaver historically in the Santa Clara River until Europeans arrived, according to oral Ventureño Chumash history taken by ethnolinguist John Peabody Harrington in
248-522: The Chumash language in 1791. The village appeared in a Mexican Alta California land grant called Rancho Sespe or Rancho San Cayetano in 1833. The creek remains free from major habitat modifications and is noteworthy for its lack of dams, although one was originally proposed for a site named Topa Topa near Sespe Hot Springs in the Sespe Wilderness . After originating above 5,000 feet (1,500 m) in
279-519: The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ; this is less than one-quarter of one percent of the nation's rivers, which flow over 3.5 million miles (5,600,000 kilometers) across the United States. By comparison, more than 75,000 large dams across the country have modified at least 600,000 miles (970,000 km), or about 17 percent of American rivers. The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was an outgrowth of
310-778: The Cuyama River watershed due west of Mt. Pinos in the Sierra Madre mountains, about 35 miles (56 km) from the Sespe Creek headwaters. Additionally, the Hearst Museum in Berkeley has a Ventureño Chumash shaman's rain making kit made from the skin of a beaver tail and a tobacco sack. The shaman, "Somik", produced the artifact in the 1870s and resided at Fort Tejon . It "was not utilized by his descendants". In Janice Timbrook's "Chumash Ethnobotany" she states, based on linguist J. P. Harrington 's interview with Chumash elder Maria Soares, that
341-793: The National Landscape Conservation System , and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska . State-managed Wild and Scenic Rivers are subject to the same protections as federally administered rivers. These state rivers can be added to the National System by the Secretary of the Interior following an application by the governor of the state the river flows through. Designated rivers are assigned one or more classifications: Wild, Scenic, or Recreational. These classifications are based on
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#1732858301800372-486: The U.S. Congress or the Secretary of the Interior . In 1968, as part of the original act, eight rivers were designated as National Wild and Scenic Rivers ( Clearwater , Eleven Point , Feather , Rio Grande , Rogue , St. Croix , Salmon , and Wolf ). As of November 2018 , 209 rivers, totaling 12,754 miles of river in 40 states and Puerto Rico, have Wild and Scenic status. By comparison, more than 75,000 large dams across
403-819: The 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. On August 2, 2018, 20 miles (32 km) of East Rosebud Creek in Montana were designated as a Wild and Scenic, the first Wild and Scenic designation in Montana in over 40 years. Designation as a Wild and Scenic River specifically protects the free-flowing nature of rivers in both federal and non-federal areas, something the Wilderness Act and other federal designations cannot do. Despite misplaced fears, WSR designation does not alter private property rights. Federally administered National Wild and Scenic Rivers are managed by one or more of
434-526: The Indians near Tehachapi and also the Chumash believed that "a willow stick that had been cut by a beaver was thought to have the power to bring water. The Chumash would treat the stick with 'ayip ( a ritually powerful substance made from alum) and then plant it in the ground to create a permanent spring of water". In addition the Barbareño and Ventureño Chumash had a Beaver Dance. Finally, the Chumash word for beaver
465-493: The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System to protect and enhance rivers found to be regionally and nationally significant. Rivers may be designated by Congress or, if certain requirements are met, the Secretary of the Interior . Each designated river is administered by either a federal, state, or tribal agency, or as a partnership between any number of these government entities and local NGOs . Designated segments need not include
496-651: The Sespe River in Ventura County " is physical evidence that golden beaver were historically extant in coastal streams in southern California. The skull of the Sespe Creek specimen is housed at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology in Berkeley, California and was collected by Dr. John Hornung, of Ventura, California, who assembled a large private mammal collection of over 2,000 skulls and made major specimen donations to museums including
527-744: The Sierra Madre Mountains in the northwest corner of the Ojai Ranger District, about 75 percent of the Sespe Creek subwatershed is characterized by numerous rugged slopes and canyon walls of the southern Pine Mountains. It flows intermittently but is characterized by a series of permanent deep pools. Major tributaries include the Lion Canyon, Hot Springs Canyon, Timber, West Fork Sespe and Little Sespe Creeks, although over 30 creeks and springs nourish it. Sespe Creek receives most of its rainfall between January and April, and furnishes 40% of
558-497: The benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Congress declares that the established national policy of dams and other construction at appropriate sections of the rivers of the United States needs to be complemented by a policy that would preserve other selected rivers or sections thereof in their free-flowing condition to protect the water quality of such rivers and to fulfill other vital national conservation purposes." (Wild & Scenic Rivers Act) The Act established
589-677: The country have modified at least 600,000 miles, or about 17%, of American rivers. Selected rivers in the United States are preserved for possessing Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs) that fall into the 8 categories: Scenic, Recreation, Geologic, Fish, Wildlife, Historic, Culture, or Other similar values. These values can be considered synonymous with ecosystem services , or those goods and services that nature provides freely and that ultimately benefit society. Rivers (or sections of rivers) so designated are set out for protection and enhancement in perpetuity by preserving their free-flowing condition from dams and development that would otherwise diminish
620-412: The developmental character of the river's surroundings on the date of designation. Wild rivers are the most remote and undeveloped while Recreational rivers often have many access points, roads, railroads, bridges, and homes located within the designated corridor. Scenic rivers tend to fall somewhere between the Wild and Recreational level of development. It is important to note that a river's classification
651-424: The early twentieth century. The beaver comes and gnaws the tree on the side towards which it leans, and at last falls over. The tree is leaning towards our house. I am beginning to fear that it will fall on us. The beaver builds its house in the river or the cienegas in the time of our ancestors. There were beavers at Ventura and also at Saticoy . Also there is a Chumash pictograph of a beaver at Painted Rock in
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#1732858301800682-417: The entire river and may include headwaters and tributaries. For federally administered rivers, the designated boundaries generally average one-quarter mile on either bank in the lower 48 states and one-half mile on rivers outside national parks in Alaska in order to protect river-related values. As of August 2018, the National System protects over 12,700 miles (20,400 km) of 209 rivers in 40 states and
713-650: The four principal land-managing agencies of the federal government. Of the 209 National Wild and Scenic Rivers, the majority are managed by the United States Forest Service , followed by the National Park Service; ten of those managed by the NPS are official units , while most are part of other parks. The remaining WSR are managed under the Bureau of Land Management 's National Conservation Lands, originally called
744-503: The gorge impossible to maintain, has made the area an apparent refuge for a number of species who were extirpated elsewhere in southern California, including the California condor , southern steelhead trout and possibly the California golden beaver . In addition, the California grizzly bear ( Ursus arctos horribilis ) held out in the Sespe area until at least 1905, when a forest ranger reported tracks and separately hunters claimed they saw
775-498: The height of the United States environmental era, states: "It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for
806-621: The nation's rivers. Many waterways and the fish in them were toxic, rendering them unusable by surrounding communities. Populations of aquatic species were declining and people were being relocated from their communities due to rampant dam building. All across the country people were writing letters imploring the President and First lady to protect their beloved rivers. Ultimately, the act was sponsored by Sen. Frank Church ( D - Idaho ) and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 2, 1968. A river , or river section, may be designated by
837-523: The quality of their remarkable values. National Wild and Scenic designation essentially vetoes the licensing of new dams on, or directly affecting the designated section of river. It also provides strong protection against federally funded bank and channel alterations that adversely affect river values, protects riverfront public lands from new oil, gas, and mineral development, and creates a federal reserved water right to protect flow-dependent values such as fish habitat. In 2018, America continues to celebrate
868-538: The recommendations of a Presidential commission, the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission (ORRRC). Among other things, the commission recommended that the nation protect wild rivers and scenic rivers from development that would substantially change their free-flowing nature and values. At this time, the country was also experiencing rapid degradation of its water resources due to municipal and industrial effluent being released into
899-566: The stream is designated as a wild trout stream from the Lion Camp area in the upper subwatershed downstream to the Los Padres National Forest boundary north of and near the city of Fillmore . The Sespe Creek flows through habitas of the California montane chaparral and woodlands ecoregion , and Riparian woodlands . The inaccessibility of the Sespe Creek backcountry, related to the Sespe gorge and flash floods which make roads through
930-522: The water flowing in the Santa Clara River. Much of Sespe Creek is protected within the Los Padres National Forest . The approximately 219,700-acre (889 km) Sespe Wilderness encompasses 31.5 miles (50.7 km) of Sespe Creek. Established in 1992, the wilderness area contains a 53,000-acre (210 km) Sespe Condor Sanctuary. Approximately 10.5 miles (16.9 km) of upper Sespe Creek have been designated as wild and scenic. Furthermore,
961-684: Was created by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-542 ), enacted by the U.S. Congress to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. The Act is notable for safeguarding the special character of these rivers, while also recognizing the potential for their appropriate use and development. It encourages river management that crosses political boundaries and promotes public participation in developing goals for river protection. The Act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in