The Colorado River of Texas

The Colorado River of Texas flows nearly due southeast through some of the most storied lands in Texas history. One of relatively few sources of fresh water in this dry region, the Colorado River was the home of the earliest Native American tribes in Texas. Early pioneers depended on the river for water and a transportation route to the inland as well, causing small towns to spring up on its banks. Comanches dominated the Colorado Rivers area for decades, often using the Colorado River as a starting point for their raids into Mexico during the early 1800's. In 1839 Austin was named the capital of the fledgling Republic of Texas, in part because its location on the Colorado Rivers allowed easy transportation and access to natural resources.

In its natural state the Colorado Rivers had an extremely variable water level. In some areas, it was barely more than a stream; in others, destructive floods caused loss of life and property damage. Buchanan Dam and the resulting reservoir were designed as an attempt to control the flow of water and produce reliable electrical power. The original plan for the Buchanan dam was drawn up in the 1850's, but due to financial constraints and financial setbacks, it was not actually completed until 1937. Inks Dam was completed in 1938 not far downstream, and soon these dams provided not only water but hydroelectric power to the areas surrounding the Colorado River.

Eleven major dams and reservoirs along the Colorado Rivers provide water and power for Texas residents. Responsibility for these river projects falls to the Upper Colorado River Authority (UCRA) and the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), nonprofit organizations created by the Texas Legislature in the 1930's to serve the water and power needs of the growing state. The UCRA is best known as a lending institution for local cities, providing funds for water reclamation projects and other conservation concerns and overseeing environmental programs as they pertain to the Colorado River. The LCRA holds responsibility for the operations at the Buchanan, Inks, Wirtz, Max Starcke, Mansfield and Tom Miller dams and reservoirs, collectively known as the Texas Highland Lakes. Additionally, the LCRA manages several state utility projects that provide water, electricity, and other public services to Central and Southeast Texas. Over one million residents of this area derive most or all of their electricity from projects administered by the LCRA.

During the 1970's and 1980's, Austin experienced a sharp growth in population. This necessitated an increase in construction, and the resulting pollution threatened to damage the water quality of the Colorado River. City and state officials took prompt action, expanding water treatment facilities and instituting strict new rules to defend the Colorado against further pollution. Today, the Colorado River Trail Program attracts visitors from across the country and around the globe. Kayak and canoe trips down the Colorado are tailor-made for novice paddlers due to the slow current of the river and the wide variety of wildlife that can be spotted along the banks of the river. The Highland Lakes are especially popular tourist attractions with over a million visitors each year. The Colorado River in Texas truly delivers the best of both worlds: water and electricity for the region, and a beautiful and unspoiled destination for tourists everywhere.

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Fantastic Colorado River Rafting

The best place to go Colorado River Rafting is in the Grand Canyon. For an absolutely thrilling adventure, the Colorado River is the place to go. Not everyone is strong enough to tackle many of the rapids on the Colorado, especially those that are found in the Grand Canyon. But, if a person is willing and able, magnificent cliffs, fantastic wildlife and beautiful scenery are abundant everywhere.

The Grand Canyon is absolutely magnificent, whether viewed from above or from below. But for the ultimate experience, it is best seen from the magnificent Colorado River that flows through it. Rafters not only experience the thrill of tremendous and heart-stopping rapids, they also have time to visit gorgeous waterfalls and hidden canyons. Many of these spectacular river trips include several days on the river which gives rafters a chance to view the beautiful night sky above the canyon. Just sitting by a crackling campfire or lying in a sleeping bag near the river gives the rafter a chance to hear the "quiet" and mighty flow of the Colorado.

Rafting the Colorado will give you your fair share of whitewater. The rapids you'll go through will give you one of the most thrilling rides you have ever taken. The river inside the Grand Canyon is part of a National Park so its wildlife and vegetation are protected. Once you're through a rapid, you'll have some time to take a look around at the some of the most beautiful scenery you'll ever see.

When you book your rafting trip, you will be given all the information you need to be fully prepared for this fabulous adventure. Colorado River outfitters want your trip to not only be enjoyable, but safe as well. They will let you know what you need to bring to make your trip truly magnificent and unforgettable. They will also tell you the best times to come and suggest what trips are appropriate for your skill level. Colorado River rafting will not disappoint you for a minute! As soon as you return home, you'll be thinking about when you can go on another rafting adventure.

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The Colorado River

The Colorado River is one of the most important rivers in the United States. It is the largest and most relied upon river in the southwestern part of the United States. It is a vital source of water for agriculture, drinking water, hydroelectric power, and recreation for millions of residents in the largely desert American southwest.

The Colorado River starts at high elevations in the Rocky Mountains in the northern part of the state of Colorado. Near its source at Grand Lake is its first dam, one of dozens it encounters as it makes its way towards the Gulf of California in Mexico. The river flows through or adjacent to five states: Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California. Streams and rivers from seven states feed the Colorado, the largest rivers being the Gunnison, Green, San Juan, Gila, and the Virgin.

The Colorado River is approximately 1,450 miles long. However its course is interrupted in several places by large reservoirs such as Lake Mead, Lake Powell, and Lake Mohave. Lake Mead is 110 miles in length and was formed by the impounding of the Colorado by the Hoover Dam. It is the largest reservoir in the United States. The Colorado is most famously known for carving the spectacular Grand Canyon in Arizona. The Grand Canyon, which is visited by more than 5 million people annually, is considered one of the seven wonders of the natural world.

The Colorado is so heavily used that by the time it reaches its lower course near Yuma, Arizona, it no longer consistently reaches the Gulf of California in Mexico. This has lead to significant habitat destruction in the Colorado River delta area in Mexico. Agricultural use drains the vast majority of the Colorado's water. There are fourteen native species of fish in the Colorado. Some of the fish are now threatened species.

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Rafting the Colorado River

If you have ever dreamed of going rafting, there is no better place to go than the Colorado River. Rafting on the Colorado River is one of the best experience for the beginner and the expert rafter. It is the ultimate getaway adventures.

The best vacations give a person not only the fun and relaxation they need, but also an adventure that that you cane remember for years to come. If you want to experience all that nature has to offer, a whitewater rafting trip is the experience of a lifetime. Not only will you be able to learn new skills, you will also be able to travel on one of the country's most beautiful rivers. Not only can you find adventure on the Colorado River, you can also explore the rest of the state. Colorado is the best place to take a vacation, whether you want to go whitewater rafting or not. The beautiful scenery and the majestic landscapes will be the best part of the experience.

And when you are on a whitewater rafting trip in Colorado, you can use the time you are on the river to bond with the other people that you are rafting with. A whitewater rafting trip is great for those who want to use the trip in order to bond with co-workers. Many companies have used whitewater rafting in Colorado to give you an experience that you can share with your co-workers for a long time. Whitewater rafting is an activity that that takes a lot of teamwork and can really help not just coworkers but family and friends to bond as well.

Some of the highlights of rafting on the Arkansas River, a popular river for rafting in Colorado is the high alpine setting where rafting begins. From there, you will travel parallel to the Continental Divide. This winds its way through the mountain landscape that has the largest number of 14,000 foot peaks in the continental United States. With Colorado River and the Arkansas River combines, there is more than a hundred miles of whitewater adventures to navigate. If you follow the Arkansas River all the way down, you will eventually come to the Royal George and you will raft right under the world's tallest suspension bridge.

You can find many different companies that offer some of the best adventure expeditions through the Colorado River. Your experience level does not matter when you want to whitewater raft you can find an expedition to meet your needs. Anyone who offers whitewater expeditions will always put your safety first. Staffs are experts on whitewater procedure and safety, so you know that you will have a safe and fun trip.

If you love nature, rafting, or just want to try something new, you can always depend on whitewater rafting to give you and your vacation companions the ultimate experience. Whether you are going for a quick trip or a long extended vacation, whitewater rafting on the Colorado River will be the best experience that you can imagine. Don't hesitate. Plan your vacation today.

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