Lavaca River facts for kids
The Lavaca River (pronounced luh-VAH-kuh) is a river located in the U.S. state of Texas. It starts in the northeastern part of Gonzales County. The river then flows mostly southeast for about 115 miles (185 km). Finally, it empties into Lavaca Bay, which is part of the larger Matagorda Bay.
River's Name and Early History
The name "Lavaca" comes from the French phrase Rivière des Vaches. This means "Cow River." A French explorer named René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle gave it this name. He likely saw many cows (or bison) near the river.
There's also a story about the famous pirate Jean Lafitte. People say that the main ship of his fleet was sunk in the lower part of the Lavaca River. This would have happened a long time ago.
Managing the River's Resources
A special group called the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority helps manage parts of the Lavaca River. This authority was created in 1941. They are in charge of the water resources and the land around the river in Jackson County. Their job is to make sure the water is used wisely and protected.
