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Pedernales River: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 30°25′51″N 98°03′36″W / 30.43083°N 98.06000°W / 30.43083; -98.06000
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{{Infobox river
{{Infobox river
| name = Pedernales River
| name = Pedernales River
| name_native =
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| name_native_lang =
| native_name_lang =
| name_other =
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| image = Pedernales1.jpg
| image = Pedernales1.jpg
| image_caption = The Pedernales River in [[Pedernales Falls State Park]]
| image_caption = The Pedernales River in [[Pedernales Falls State Park]]
| map = TXMap-river-Pedernales.png
| map = {{maplink-road|from=Pedernales River.map}}
| map_size =
| map_size =
| map_caption = Location of Pedernales River, Texas
| map_caption = Location of Pedernales River, Texas
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The '''Pedernales River''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|p|ɜːr|d|ə|ˈ|n|æ|l|ᵻ|s}} {{respell|PUR|də|NAL|iss}}) is a tributary of the [[Colorado River (Texas)|Colorado River]], approximately {{convert|106|mi|km|0}} long, in central [[Texas]] in the United States.<ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|1377778|Pedernales River|2019-08-12}}</ref> It drains an area of the [[Edwards Plateau]], flowing west to east across the [[Texas Hill Country]] west of [[Austin, Texas|Austin]]. The name "Pedernales", first used in the middle 18th century, comes from a [[Spanish language|Spanish]] word for the [[flint]] rocks characteristic of the riverbed.
The '''Pedernales River''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|p|ɜːr|d|ə|ˈ|n|æ|l|ᵻ|s}} {{respell|PUR|də|NAL|iss}}) is a tributary of the [[Colorado River (Texas)|Colorado River]], approximately {{convert|106|mi|km|0}} long, in [[Central Texas]] in the United States.<ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|1377778|Pedernales River|2019-08-12}}</ref> It drains an area of the [[Edwards Plateau]], flowing west to east across the [[Texas Hill Country]] west of [[Austin, Texas|Austin]]. The name "Pedernales", first used in the middle 18th century, comes from a [[Spanish language|Spanish]] word for the [[flint]] rocks characteristic of the riverbed.


==Description==
==Description==
The river rises from springs in northeastern [[Kerr County, Texas|Kerr County]], approximately {{convert|25|mi|km|0}} southeast of [[Junction, Texas|Junction]]. It flows north into southeast [[Kimble County, Texas|Kimble County]] and then east into [[Gillespie County, Texas|Gillespie County]],<ref name=USGS>''Harper West, TX'' 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1974 (1978 rev.)</ref> passing south of [[Fredericksburg, Texas|Fredericksburg]], and into [[Blanco County, Texas|Blanco County]], passing north of [[Johnson City, Texas|Johnson City]]. It joins the Colorado from the southwest in [[Lake Travis]], approximately {{convert|10|mi|km|0}} west of Austin.
The river rises from springs in northeastern [[Kerr County, Texas|Kerr County]], approximately {{convert|25|mi|km|0}} southeast of [[Junction, Texas|Junction]]. It flows north into southeast [[Kimble County, Texas|Kimble County]] and then east into [[Gillespie County, Texas|Gillespie County]],<ref name=USGS>''Harper West, TX'' 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1974 (1978 rev.)</ref> passing south of [[Fredericksburg, Texas|Fredericksburg]], and into [[Blanco County, Texas|Blanco County]], passing north of [[Johnson City, Texas|Johnson City]]. It joins the Colorado from the southwest in [[Lake Travis]], approximately {{convert|10|mi|km|0}} west of Austin.


The river has a close association with the Texas Hill Country, tied to the history of the region and emblematic of its geography. Along its route it flows over numerous rugged [[limestone]] escarpments as it winds eastward, passing along the south side of the ranch of President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]],<ref>http://www.nps.gov/lyjo/planyourvisit/upload/Locator2008-nobus.pdf</ref> who grew up in nearby [[Stonewall, Texas|Stonewall]], south of the river.
The river has a close association with the Texas Hill Country, tied to the history of the region and emblematic of its geography. Along its route it flows over numerous rugged [[limestone]] escarpments as it winds eastward, passing along the south side of the ranch of President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/lyjo/planyourvisit/upload/Locator2008-nobus.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-11-17 |archive-date=2017-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215214111/https://www.nps.gov/lyjo/planyourvisit/upload/Locator2008-nobus.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> who grew up in nearby [[Stonewall, Texas|Stonewall]], south of the river.


In 1750, [[Fray Benito Fernández de Santa Ana]] proposed a plan to the [[Spain|Spanish]] government that a mission be established among the [[Lipan Apache people|Lipan Apache]] who lived along the river. In 1789, the river was the site of a skirmish between Colonel [[Francisco Xavier Ugalde]] and a group of Lipan and [[Mescalero]] Indians. The first permanent white settlement along the river was in 1846, when the town of Fredericksburg was established by [[Germany|German]] immigrants. The threat of raids from Apaches restricted settlement in the area until the 1880s.
In 1750, [[Fray Benito Fernández de Santa Ana]] proposed a plan to the [[Spain|Spanish]] government that a mission be established among the [[Lipan Apache people|Lipan Apache]] who lived along the river. In 1789, the river was the site of a skirmish between Colonel [[Francisco Xavier Ugalde]] and a group of Lipan and [[Mescalero]] Indians. The first permanent white settlement along the river was in 1846, when the town of Fredericksburg was established by [[Germany|German]] immigrants. The threat of raids from Apaches restricted settlement in the area until the 1880s.


[[Pedernales Falls State Park]] is located along the river in Blanco County east of Johnson City. Like many rivers in central Texas, it is prone to variable water levels. A sign at the state park shows a relatively tranquil river in one picture and a raging wall of muddy water in the next picture, said to be taken only five minutes after the first. The speed at which [[flash floods]] can arise along this river has resulted in several deaths at the park, and warning sirens have been installed in the park and elsewhere along the river. The lower river is a popular destination for [[whitewater rafting]] during the high-water season.
[[Pedernales Falls State Park]] is located along the river in Blanco County east of Johnson City. Like many rivers in central Texas, it is prone to variable water levels. A sign at the state park shows a relatively tranquil river in one picture and a raging wall of muddy water in the next picture, said to be taken only five minutes after the first. The speed at which [[flash floods]] can arise along this river has resulted in several deaths at the park, and warning sirens have been installed in the park and elsewhere along the river. The lower river is a popular destination for [[whitewater rafting]] during the high-water season.

{{wide image|Pedernales River (2017).jpg|1000 px|Pedernales River in [[Pedernales Falls State Park]]}}


==See also==
==See also==
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*[[Frio River]]
*[[Frio River]]
*[[Brazos River]]
*[[Brazos River]]
*[[Colorado River (Texas)]]
*[[White River (Texas)]]
*[[White River (Texas)]]
*[[Pecos River]]
*[[Pecos River]]
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[[Category:Rivers of Texas]]
[[Category:Rivers of Texas]]
[[Category:Tributaries of the Colorado River (Texas)]]
[[Category:Tributaries of the Colorado River (Texas)]]
[[Category:Bodies of water of Kimble County, Texas]]
[[Category:Rivers of Kimble County, Texas]]
[[Category:Bodies of water of Gillespie County, Texas]]
[[Category:Rivers of Gillespie County, Texas]]
[[Category:Bodies of water of Blanco County, Texas]]
[[Category:Rivers of Blanco County, Texas]]
[[Category:Bodies of water of Travis County, Texas]]
[[Category:Rivers of Travis County, Texas]]
[[Category:Texas Hill Country]]
[[Category:Texas Hill Country]]

Latest revision as of 23:31, 25 December 2022

Pedernales River
The Pedernales River in Pedernales Falls State Park
Map
Location of Pedernales River, Texas
Location
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
RegionEdwards Plateau, Texas Hill Country
Physical characteristics
SourceKerr County, Texas
 • coordinates30°15′45″N 99°19′31″W / 30.26250°N 99.32528°W / 30.26250; -99.32528
 • elevation690 m (2,260 ft)[1]
MouthLake Travis, Travis County, Texas
 • coordinates
30°25′51″N 98°03′36″W / 30.43083°N 98.06000°W / 30.43083; -98.06000
 • elevation
197 m (646 ft)[2]
Length170 km (110 mi)
Basin size3,297 km2 (1,273 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average2.3 m3/s (81 cu ft/s)

The Pedernales River (/ˌpɜːrdəˈnælɪs/ PUR-də-NAL-iss) is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 106 miles (171 km) long, in Central Texas in the United States.[2] It drains an area of the Edwards Plateau, flowing west to east across the Texas Hill Country west of Austin. The name "Pedernales", first used in the middle 18th century, comes from a Spanish word for the flint rocks characteristic of the riverbed.

Description

[edit]

The river rises from springs in northeastern Kerr County, approximately 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Junction. It flows north into southeast Kimble County and then east into Gillespie County,[1] passing south of Fredericksburg, and into Blanco County, passing north of Johnson City. It joins the Colorado from the southwest in Lake Travis, approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of Austin.

The river has a close association with the Texas Hill Country, tied to the history of the region and emblematic of its geography. Along its route it flows over numerous rugged limestone escarpments as it winds eastward, passing along the south side of the ranch of President Lyndon B. Johnson,[3] who grew up in nearby Stonewall, south of the river.

In 1750, Fray Benito Fernández de Santa Ana proposed a plan to the Spanish government that a mission be established among the Lipan Apache who lived along the river. In 1789, the river was the site of a skirmish between Colonel Francisco Xavier Ugalde and a group of Lipan and Mescalero Indians. The first permanent white settlement along the river was in 1846, when the town of Fredericksburg was established by German immigrants. The threat of raids from Apaches restricted settlement in the area until the 1880s.

Pedernales Falls State Park is located along the river in Blanco County east of Johnson City. Like many rivers in central Texas, it is prone to variable water levels. A sign at the state park shows a relatively tranquil river in one picture and a raging wall of muddy water in the next picture, said to be taken only five minutes after the first. The speed at which flash floods can arise along this river has resulted in several deaths at the park, and warning sirens have been installed in the park and elsewhere along the river. The lower river is a popular destination for whitewater rafting during the high-water season.

Pedernales River in Pedernales Falls State Park

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Harper West, TX 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1974 (1978 rev.)
  2. ^ a b "Pedernales River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-02-15. Retrieved 2013-11-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
[edit]
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