Rio Grande River 001079

by Renny Spencer

Title

Rio Grande River 001079

Artist

Renny Spencer

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

The Rio Grande River meanders along the border of Texas USA and Mexico in the Big Bend region. Drought and dams along the river have led to very shallow water conditions.

A beautiful drive along el Camino del Rio (river road, Texas Highway FM170) on the border of the United States and Mexico allows you to experience some rugged beauty. The mountains in this view are in Mexico.

The drive lets you also enjoy the border communities of Presidio, Redford, Lajitas, Terlingua ( home of the world famous chili cookoff), and Study Butte. You are also very close to Big Bend National Park

https://www.americanrivers.org/river/rio-grande-river/

"The Rio Grande (“Big River”) was named “El Rio Bravo del Norte,” or “The Fierce River of the North,” by Spanish explorers in the 1500s. It is still known as “Rio Bravo” in Mexico.

Despite its name, the Rio Grande averages only about one-fifth as much water as its neighbor, the Colorado River.

Colorado’s San Luis Valley along the upper Rio Grande is a spring layover for more than 20,000 migrating sandhill cranes and hosts an annual “Crane Fest” at surrounding wildlife refuges.

Less than 25 years after receiving Wild and Scenic designation in two regions, the Rio Grande earned the No. 1 spot on American Rivers’ Most Endangered Rivers in America® list in 1992.

On any given day during the irrigation season, Colorado diverts 95 percent or more of the Rio Grande to irrigate the farms and pastures of the San Luis Valley."

https://www.myscenicdrives.com/drives/texas/el-camino-del-rio

"El Camino del Rio, “The River Road”, is one of Texas’s best scenic routes, following the twists and turns of the Rio Grande and revealing a fiery volcanic history. The majority of this drive is within the boundaries of Big Bend Ranch State Park. On the other side of the Rio Grande is Mexico.

The scenic drive travels between Lajitas and Presidio. For an action packed road trip, El Camino del Rio makes a nice continuation to the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive which explores nearby Big Bend National Park. To reach Lajitas, follow Farm Road 170 west from Big Bend National Park or from the end of TX-118 from Alpine.

As you enter Big Bend Ranch State Park, the Barton Warnock Visitor Center (I1) is on your left. Educational and interpretive programs explore the history, geology and cultural heritage of the area. Don’t miss the self-guided tour of the 2.5 acre desert garden. Backpacking and camping permits can be obtained here as well."


---Renny Spencer
https://rennyspencerphotography.com

Uploaded

March 29th, 2021

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