2. Why are we studying this?
Texans have long relied on the
state’s sources of water.
Texas has many different
resources including aquifers
and reservoirs.
13. The Texas River System
•All rivers and streams
in Texas eventually flow
into the Gulf of Mexico!
•Most Texas Rivers are
located in East Texas!
14. The Texas River System
• Tributaries—any smaller stream or
river that flows into a larger
stream or river
Which
river is a
tributary
to the Rio
Grande?
15. The Texas River System
• Major River Systems
– Tributaries of the Mississippi
• Red River
• Canadian River
– Flow directly into Gulf of Mexico
• Brazos
• Colorado
• Neches
• Nueces
• Sabine
• Trinity
– Rio Grande and Tributaries
• Rio Grande
• Pecos
16. Texas Lakes & Aquifers
• Few natural lakes
• Caddo Lake: largest
natural lake in state
• Hundreds of artificial
lakes
17. Texas Lakes & Aquifers
•Reservoirs—artificial
lakes that store water
and are often used as a
source of water by
towns and cities
18. Texas Lakes & Aquifers
•Reservoirs also used
for irrigation
•Irrigation—supplying of
water to crops by
artificial means
19. Texas Lakes & Aquifers
•Aquifer—natural
formations of
underground gravel,
rock, or sand that trap
and hold rainwater
20. Texas Lakes & Aquifers
•Refilling/Recharging is
usually a slow process
•Provide water for
farms, home, & industry
21. Texas Lakes & Aquifers
• Ogallala Aquifer
–largest underground aquifer in
the state
–stretches from Texas and
New Mexico all the way to
South Dakota
22.
23. Texas Lakes & Aquifers
• Edwards Aquifer
–underground water source
for Central Texas
–water source for Austin
and San Antonio
