Putah Creek is the primary drainage for the Davis area. Putah Creek no longer flows through campus, as the the creek was diverted to the south of Davis. The Waste Water Treatment Plant discharges its effluent into the south branch of Putah Creek.

The segment of the Putah Creek which used to flow through the UC Davis Arboretum, is now called the Arboretum Waterway, and it enhances the beauty of the setting, despite the concrete walls. The waterway runs southwest from the Borders parking lot and Solano Park towards the UC Davis Equestrian Center. Lake Spafford is one of the many sites on this non-flowing section of waterway, near Mrak Hall. Every few years (nope, it was only done once in ~1992), this section of previously natural creek is drained for cleaning, and many stolen bicycles are recovered. There are several arboretum bridges and a dock.

Many claim that "Putah" descends from a local Native American word. However, more amusement is generated from the fact that puta in Spanish means "whore".

Waterway Fauna

Fish Species

According to a study conducted by Professor Peter Moyle in 2002, the following fish species inhabit the waterway:

Common Carp Green Sunfish Fathead Minnow Western Mosquitofish Sacramento Blackfish

UC Davis Arboretum
Hydrology
Arboretum Waterway Lake Spafford Putah Creek
Plant Collections
Shields Oak Grove Valley-Wise Garden White Flower Garden Mediterranean Collection South American Collection Acacia Collection Southwest US/ Mexican Collection Conifer Collection Roberts Redbud Collection Desert Collection California Foothill Collection East Asian Collection Mary Wattis Brown Garden North Coast Collection Weier Redwood Grove Australian Collection Arboretum Terrace
Features
Gazebo Dock Boathouse Putah Creek Lodge Bridges The Foundation Native American Contemplative Garden Lois Crowe Patio
Related
Nursery Town Wildlife Town Flora
All entries are listed from West to East.

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