Arroyo Hondo (Santa Clara County)

Arroyo Hondo
Summer low flows in Arroyo Hondo with riparian white alder and foothill pine
Location
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
RegionSanta Clara County
Physical characteristics
SourceConfluence of Smith Creek and Isabel Creek
  coordinates37°23′00″N 121°41′34″W / 37.38333°N 121.69278°W / 37.38333; -121.69278
  elevation1,585 ft (483 m)
MouthJoins Calaveras Creek in Calaveras Reservoir
  coordinates
37°27′51″N 121°46′36″W / 37.46417°N 121.77667°W / 37.46417; -121.77667
  elevation
771 ft (235 m)

Arroyo Hondo is a northwestward-flowing 13-mile-long (20.9 km) river in Santa Clara County, California, United States, that lies east of Milpitas. The area is privately owned by the San Francisco Water Department and is closed to public access because of its usage as drinking water. Bounded to the east by Oak Ridge and to the west by Poverty Ridge, Arroyo Hondo empties into the Calaveras Reservoir where it joins Calaveras Creek. It is formed by the confluence of Smith Creek and Isabel Creek which drain the west and east slopes of Mount Hamilton, respectively.