Deer Creek is a large stream in Northern California that flows through Tehama County, California. It is an eastside tributary of the Sacramento River, draining 134 square miles. The creek flows roughly southwest for most of its 60-mile length. Its headwaters are in Lassen National Forest at an elvation of 7,320 feet on Butt Mountain in the Cascade Range, several miles west of Lake Almanor. The creek's upper reaches are through meadows and dense forests, then it flows through a steep rock canyon and into Sacramento Valley. About 11 miles after entering the valley, it joins the Sacramento River at an elevation of only 180 feet, about 7 miles south-southeast of the small city of Tehama, California. The creek has four diversions, all occur after the stream flows into the Sacramento Valley. Three use diversion dams and one uses a ditch. There are no storage dams on the creek. Except for the diversions, Deer Creek is still relatively natural. This is probably due to the fact that the upper two-thirds of the creek flow through protected land in the Lassen National Forest. Deer Creek is also an excellent fishing location. It is one of a decreasing number of streams in California that still provides habitat for the native trout.
