Hat Creek Area

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In the lower reaches, near its confluence with the Pit River, Hat Creek flows through a generally forested area. The forest is predominantly ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa. Understory and chaparral areas include such species as Arctostaphylos sp., Ceanothus sp., Ribes sp., and squaw bush, Rhus trilobata.

Here and in the adjacent waters of the Pit River the rare rough sculpin, Cottus asperrimus, is found. This fish appears to have a limited distribution and is nowhere abundant.

This area was a portion of a Pliocene lake considerably larger than the present-day Lake Britton. Diatomaceous beds of middle to late Pliocene origin are visible. Immediately to the west, Warner basalt overlies the Pliocene lake sediments.

There are areas of archaeological interest here also.

Integrity: There is a dirt road in the area as well as a sand pit near its boundaries; however, the area is relatively undisturbed.

Use: Private

Ref: Robins, C. R. and R. R. Miller, 1957. Classification, Variation and Distribution of the Sculpins, genus Cottus, inhabiting Pacific slope waters in California and Southern Oregon, with a key to the species. Calif. Fish and Game 43 (3), pp. 213-233.

September 1975

Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman

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