Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

This refuge is divided into the Bahia Grande and the South Padre Unit. The Bahia Grande Unit is 21,700 acres from Laguna Vista to Brownsville. Along the refuge, the majority of the lands are wetlands. It is now one of the largest and most successful coastal wetland restoration projects in the Unites States. The restoration of the wetlands is of the utmost importance for the many species of wildlife that depend on it including the migratory birds that can be seen each each. The South Padre Unit consists of 24, 532 acres of land located on the islands north end.

This alligator pond houses at least four alligators in the refuge. 

General Land Office/ South Bay

South Bay

South Bay is located between South Padre Island and Browsville, Texas. The sub water shed in this region is called Bahia Grande-Brownsville Ship Channel, which empties into the South Laguna Madre Sub Basin. South Bay is located in the Laguna Madre watershed in the tip of Texas. It was designated a Coastal Preserve in 1984. The bay is characterized by shallow subtropical water.

Palmetto Hill and Boca Chica/South Jetties

Boca Chica Beach

Boca Chica Beach is located just east of Brownsville taking Highway 4 east until it runs out. This beautiful beach is a sandy peninsula separated from Mexico by the Rio Grande River and detached from South Padre Island by the Brazos Santiago Pass. The Rio Grande rises from south central Colorado and flows to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico-United States Border. The mouth of the river creates a small sandy delta when it meets the Gulf of Mexico.

 The South Jetties

The South Jetties are located approximately 2.5 miles from the entrance to Boca Chica Beach. It is possible to see South Padre Island from this location since it is separated by a ship channel. The jetties is used to protect the mouth of the channel from erosion. With this man made structure, it is easier to control blockage that may be caused by natural events. In this location, it is easy to spot dolphins, marine turtles and sea urchins.

On the opposite side of the jetties, a secluded area from the South Bay can be reached using a 4x4 vehicle. The water here is low and is a great place for plants like mangroves to grow and flourish in these hyper-saline conditions.

Sabal Palm Sanctuary

                   Sabal Palm Sanctuary

The Rabb Plantation is located in the delta of the Rio Grand Valley in Cameron County near Brownsville, Texas. It is said that this plantation was set up to be alongside the Rio Grande. During this time, the river was deep enough for small steamboats to travel past the plantation. However, after a powerful flow of water from the Rio Grande, it caused a major flood in the area. After the water receded, the river no longer flowed next to the house and left a receding oxbow lake that evolved into a large wetland resaca instead. The Sanctuary currently operates approximately 5 miles of nature trails through the palm grove and adjacent habitats.

Picture depicting the flow of the Rio Grande River.

This is a prime example on how unpredictable the watershed in the "Valley" was and continues to be. The amount of water and force of the Rio Grande can weather and erode away new land. Thanks to the man made distributary facilities, there is a bit more security on how to distribute and better take advantage of this natural resource.

Mid-Valley Watershed

Estero Llano Grande State Park

The journey of the watershed continues to Estero Llano Grande Park where a shallow lake full of marsh cane is waiting for the plethora of birds that can be seen here. This lake is actually a part of the Arroyo Colorado. The resaca offers something special in the wetlands environment at the World Birding Center network.

Arroyo Colorado Watershed

The Arroyo Colorado Watershed is an important body of water for the Mid-Valley region. It is located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. The Arroyo Colorado is an ancient distributary channel of the Rio Grande and extends from the city of Mission and it drains into the Lower Laguna Madre. The arroyo is approximately 90 miles long and is used primarily as a floodway and a conduit for wastewater conveyance. Other important usage is commercial barge traffic and as a recreational area for boating and fishing. It is also significantly important because it can be used as a nursery and foraging area for numerous marine species.

Vertical Lift Bridge, Rio Hondo

The Arroyo Colorado continues to travel North East to Rio Hondo City. It can be seen at the Vertical Lift Bridege. The importance of the bridge is not only to allow a crossway for cars but to permit large boats access to the Port of Harlingen. The bridge opens for barges hauling numerous goods like fuel, fertilizer, sand and cement.

Upper Valley Water Shed Features

Roma Bluffs

The Roma Bluffs are a historic location as well as a beautiful scenic bluff made of sandstone that stands above the Rio Grande. The city of Roma borders the city of Miguel Aleman, Mexico. It's part of a historic district where the World Birding Center in Roma can be found. It is in this location we begin our journey of the watershed in the RGV.

High in the Roma Bluff Observation Deck, we can see the ever-changing Rio Grande and the effects it has on the banks of the river. It is here where we can sample how the constant but changeable force of water creates new terrain. This of course, depends on many factors including heavy rain, droughts, or the distribution of water from Falcon Dam which is located 20 miles upstream. At this point of the river, it is clear to see how the water may run shallow and clear or rise to several feet. It's this constant change of flow and force of water that may cause weathering and erosion to the area. 

Los Ebanos Ferry

At this location, we can see another example of a watershed feature. Depending on the force of the Rio Grande River, it can create a cut bank. This cut bank demonstrates how the river is constantly undergoing erosion caused by the force of the water. The cut bank is located on the outside of a stream bend, known as a meander, opposite the slip-off slope on the inside bend. This demonstrates how the river may rise to several feet and flood the surrounding area.