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Chapter 3
T
he Edwards Aquifer extends
under parts of 10 Texas
counties and supplies water
for communities from San
Antonio to the Gulf Coast.
In 1975 the San Antonio
section of the aquifer was
the first in the nation to be
named a Sole-Source Aquifer
by the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency. A Sole-Source
Aquifer provides 50 percent
or more of the drinking water
for a particular area.
EDWARDS AQUIFER
of caves and underwater streams. The Edwards Aquifer is a large bed of
water-bearing rock that supplies water for San Antonio and many other
communities below the Balcones Escarpment.
The Edwards Plateau is mainly between 1,000 and 3,000 feet above
sea level. Precipitation ranges from about 18 to 30 inches per year. The
growing season is estimated to last from 210 to 220 days each year.
High Plains
The High Plains, also known as the Llano Estacado, is one of the
flattest places on earth. It was once covered with vast stretches of short
grasses, like a steppe. Today, the High Plains is a major farming area.
The High Plains subregion extends west from the Rolling Plains to
the Pecos River in New Mexico. The climate is dry, with precipitation
amounting to less than 20 inches per year. The elevation of the High
Plains ranges from 3,000 feet to over 4,000 feet above sea level. The
growing season ranges from 220 days in the south to only about 180 days
in the north along the Oklahoma border.
Mountains and Basins Region
This part of Texas is made up of tall mountains separated by large
basins, or closed valleys. Most of the mountains receive enough rainfall
to support forests of oak, piñon, and ponderosa pine trees. In contrast,
the lower elevations and basins are desert country, with cactus, shrubs,
short grasses, and other kinds of vegetation that can live a long time
without water. Overall, this region receives litttle rain, ranging from a
low of 8.8 inches per year near El Paso to almost 20 inches per year in
higher areas. The growing season is usually between 220 and 245 days.
Elevations in the Mountains and Basins region vary widely. For
instance, this region contains the highest point in Texas—Guadalupe
Peak, which stands 8,751 feet tall. On the other hand, some parts of this
region reach an elevation of only about 2,500 feet.
Summing Up Texas Regions
With so many plains, plateaus, and mountains, Texas
boasts a very diverse landscape. In fact, learning to identify
the many different regions in Texas can be difficult. How
can you make Texas geography a little easier to understand?
One way is by generalizing, or finding common character-
istics among specific areas in Texas. Different parts of the
state have different kinds of landforms. By making gener-
alizations, we can simplify how we study these landforms.
One generalization you might make is that some areas
have lower elevations and some have higher elevations. The
Balcones Escarpment is very important because it divides
the lowest parts of Texas from higher areas. The Coastal
Plains areas east and south of the Balcones Escarpment
aquifer an underground layer
of porous rock, gravel, or sand
containing water that may
reach the surface through springs
or wells
The Guadalupe Mountains in the
Mountains and Basins Region rise
high above the surrounding desert.
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What kind of climate would you
expect in this region?
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