Texas Rivers & Water Quiz
Rio Grande, Colorado (TX), reservoirs (10 questions).
Texas Rivers & Water Quiz: Quick Study Notes
Texas is defined by its vast landscapes and essential water resources. The Rio Grande serves as a critical international boundary and a lifeline for communities, while the Colorado River of Texas plays a vital role in central Texas. Reservoirs across the state are indispensable for managing water supply, controlling floods, and offering recreational opportunities. This section provides a brief overview of these crucial elements of Texas geography.
Key Topics
Forms 1,254 miles of the international border between Texas and Mexico. It’s a key source of irrigation and drinking water for millions.
The longest river entirely within Texas, it flows southeast from Dawson County to Matagorda Bay. Not to be confused with the larger Colorado River in the Western U.S.
Amistad and Falcon Reservoirs on the Rio Grande, and the Highland Lakes (e.g., Lake Travis, Buchanan) on the Colorado River, are vital for the state.
Texas reservoirs primarily serve for municipal and agricultural water supply, hydroelectric power generation, and critical flood control.
Key Takeaways
- The Rio Grande is the second-longest river in the U.S. and marks the entire Texas-Mexico border.
- Texas’s Colorado River is distinct from the larger Colorado River of the Western United States.
- The Highland Lakes system, including Lake Travis, are major reservoirs on the Texas Colorado River.
- Amistad and Falcon Reservoirs are significant binational projects on the Rio Grande.
- Reservoirs are crucial for water supply, flood control, and recreation throughout the arid and semi-arid regions of Texas.
- Texas relies heavily on its river systems and artificial lakes to support its growing population and agriculture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the section of the Rio Grande that forms the Texas-Mexico border?
The Rio Grande forms approximately 1,254 miles (2,018 km) of the international border between Texas and Mexico.
What is the chain of lakes on the Colorado River of Texas known as?
The chain of lakes on the Colorado River in Central Texas is known as the “Highland Lakes.” This system includes major lakes like Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls, Travis, and Austin.
What are the primary purposes of reservoirs in Texas?
The primary purposes of most large reservoirs in Texas are municipal and industrial water supply, irrigation for agriculture, flood control, hydroelectric power generation, and recreation.
Where does the Texas Colorado River begin and end?
The Colorado River of Texas originates in Dawson County on the Llano Estacado and flows approximately 862 miles southeastward across the state, eventually emptying into Matagorda Bay on the Gulf of Mexico.
Which major reservoir on the Rio Grande is shared by both the United States and Mexico?
Amistad International Reservoir (near Del Rio, Texas) and Falcon International Reservoir (near Falcon Heights, Texas) are two major reservoirs on the Rio Grande that are jointly owned and operated by the United States and Mexico.
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