Texas HistoryChapter 2.1

The Physical Landscape of Texas

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.

Landforms of Texas

Landforms of Texas•Major Landforms of Texas

–Plains–Hills–Plateaus–Mountain ranges

Landforms of Texas

•Plains—areas of flat or gently rolling land without a sharp rise or fall in elevation

Landforms of Texas

Landforms of Texas

•Plateaus—are areas of flat elevated land that drop sharply on one or more sides

Landforms of Texas•Texas “Hill Country”

•Located in Central Texas

Texas Hill Country

Landforms of Texas

•Ranges—groups of mountainsGuadalupe Peak—

highest point in Texas

Photos from the Guadalupe Mountains

The Texas River System

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!

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?

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

Texas Lakes & Aquifers•Few natural lakes

•Caddo Lake: largest natural lake in state

•Hundreds of artificial lakes

Texas Lakes & Aquifers

•Reservoirs—artificial lakes that store water and are often used as a source of water by towns and cities

Texas Lakes & Aquifers

•Reservoirs also used for irrigation

•Irrigation—supplying of water to crops by artificial means

Texas Lakes & Aquifers

•Aquifer—natural formations of underground gravel, rock, or sand that trap and hold rainwater

Texas Lakes & Aquifers•Refilling/Recharging is usually a slow process

•Provide water for farms, home, & industry

Texas Lakes & Aquifers•Ogallala Aquifer

–largest underground aquifer in the state

–stretches from Texas and New Mexico all the way to South Dakota

Texas Lakes & Aquifers•Edwards Aquifer

–underground water source for Central Texas

–water source for Austin and San Antonio