Willow Creek is a stream in

Madera County, California Madera County (), officially the County of Madera, is a County (United States), county located at the geographic center of the U.S. state of California. It features a varied landscape, encompassing the eastern San Joaquin Valley and the central ...

, and a primary tributary of the upper

San Joaquin River The San Joaquin River ( ; ) is the longest river of Central California. The long river starts in the high Sierra Nevada and flows through the rich agricultural region of the northern San Joaquin Valley before reaching Suisun Bay, San Francis ...

. It originates in the

Sierra Nevada The Sierra Nevada ( ) is a mountain range in the Western United States, between the Central Valley of California and the Great Basin. The vast majority of the range lies in the state of California, although the Carson Range spur lies primari ...

and flows approximately 25 miles (40 km) west-southwest, descending about 7,000 feet in elevation before its confluence with the San Joaquin. Willow Creek is best known as the main inflow of Bass Lake, a reservoir in the

Sierra National Forest Sierra National Forest is a U.S. national forest located on the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada in California, bounded on the northwest by Yosemite National Park and on the south by Kings Canyon National Park. The forest is known for ...

. Along its course it features a series of cascades known as Angel Falls, a popular recreation site. The creek supports hydroelectric generation, municipal water supply, and a variety of outdoor activities.

Course and geography

Willow Creek originates on the slopes of Iron Mountain in the Sierra Nevada, at an elevation of about 9,000 feet (2,700 m). It flows southwest through steep granite canyons in the Bass Lake Ranger District of the Sierra National Forest. Its North Fork is dammed by Crane Valley Dam to form Bass Lake, while a South Fork diversion known as Brown’s Ditch also feeds the reservoir. Below Bass Lake, Willow Creek flows south toward North Fork and eventually joins the

. Historically intermittent due to upstream damming, the creek now receives regulated releases to support downstream ecosystems.

Angel Falls and Devil’s Slide

Angel Falls is a granite cascade located roughly one mile upstream from Bass Lake. The falls descend about 50–60 feet over smooth bedrock, creating a popular spot for swimming and nature photography. Uphill from Angel Falls lies Devil’s Slide, another steep cascade accessed by continuing along the Willow Creek Trail. The entire area is popular with hikers, though visitors are advised to exercise caution due to slippery rock and strong currents during spring runoff.

Hydroelectric development

In 1910, the

Crane Valley Dam Crane or cranes may refer to: Common meanings * Crane (bird), a large, long-necked bird * Crane (machine), industrial machinery for lifting ** Crane (rail), a crane suited for use on railroads People and fictional characters * Crane (surname), ...

was completed on the North Fork of Willow Creek to create Bass Lake, a reservoir used for hydroelectric generation by

PG&E The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is an American investor-owned utility (IOU). The company is headquartered at Kaiser Center, in Oakland, California. PG&E provides natural gas and electricity to 5.2 million households in the norther ...

. The dam powers several downstream plants, and releases are regulated under a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license to balance power, ecological flows, and recreation.

Water supply

The Bass Lake Water Company (BLWC), founded in the 1930s, draws water from Willow Creek for residential and commercial use in the Bass Lake area. A surface water intake near Angel Falls supplies a treatment plant operated under permit from the

California State Water Resources Control Board The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is one of six branches of the California Environmental Protection Agency. History This regulatory program has had the status of an official government department since the 1950s. The ...

. The company was acquired by California American Water in 2019.

Recreation

Willow Creek is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and wildlife observation. The Willow Creek Trail begins near the Falls Day Use Area and provides access to Angel Falls and Devil’s Slide. Other activities in the area include fishing, photography, and bird watching. The creek supports diverse flora and fauna, including mule deer, black bears, and a variety of bird species.

History

Willow Creek has long been inhabited by the

Mono people The Mono ( ) are a Native American people who traditionally live in the central Sierra Nevada, the Eastern Sierra (generally south of Bridgeport), the Mono Basin, and adjacent areas of the Great Basin. They are often grouped under the histo ...

, who used its water and surrounding lands for seasonal subsistence. In the late 19th century, settlers diverted the creek for logging operations, building flumes to transport lumber to the San Joaquin Valley. The surrounding area was incorporated into the Sierra National Forest in 1893.

Ecology

Willow Creek’s upper reaches include subalpine meadows and pine forests, while its lower stretches support oak woodlands and riparian vegetation. The creation of Bass Lake altered the creek’s natural flow and aquatic life, but environmental mitigation efforts since the early 2000s have improved habitat conditions.

References

Rivers of Madera County, California Rivers of Northern California {{California-river-stub