Alder Creek (Nevada County, California)

Alder Creek is a perennial stream in Nevada County, California, mostly within the town of Truckee. Its source region near Donner Ridge is west of town, and its mouth at Prosser Creek Reservoir is north of town. It flows to the Truckee River via Prosser Creek.

Alder Creek Tributary to Prosser Creek
Alder Creek just below Fjord Road, Truckee
Location of Alder Creek mouth Alder Creek (Nevada County, California) (the United States)
Location
Country	United States
State	California
County	Nevada
Physical characteristics
Source	Negro Canyon divide
• location	Donner Ridge
• coordinates	39°22′59″N 120°37′34″W
• elevation	7,490 ft (2,280 m)
Mouth	Prosser Creek
• location	Prosser Creek Reservoir, about 2 miles north-northwest of Polaris, California
• coordinates	39°22′39″N 120°38′42″W
• elevation	5,741 ft (1,750 m)
Length	8.89 mi (14.31 km)
Basin size	12.65 square miles (32.8 km2)
Discharge
• location	Prosser Creek
• average	15.55 cu ft/s (0.440 m3/s) at mouth with Prosser Creek
Basin features
Progression	Prosser Creek → Truckee River → Pyramid Lake
River system	Truckee River
Tributaries
• left	unnamed tributaries
• right	unnamed tributaries
Bridges	Skislope Way, Snowpeak Way, Fjord Road, Schussing Way, Alder Creek Road, CA 89

Alder Creek panoramic view at Emigrant Trail footbridge

Alder Creek debouches into Prosser Creek Reservoir, at a location depending on the reservoir level, which is low here in October, 2020.

A beaver pond on Alder Creek

Donner Party camp

Plaque about the Donner women at the Alder Creek Valley camp memorial

Donner Party camp plaque, at Alder Creek Valley memorial

The Donner Party camped in Alder Creek Valley when stopped by snow in November, 1846. There is a memorial to them off California route 89 just north of the creek.