Little River (Texas) facts for kids
The Little River is a river in Central Texas. It is an important part of the Brazos River system. This river starts when two other rivers, the Leon River and the Lampasas River, join together. This happens near a town called Little River, Texas in Bell County.
The Little River flows for about 75 miles (120 km) towards the southeast. It eventually flows into the Brazos River near Hearne. Another river, the San Gabriel River, also joins the Little River. This happens about 8 miles (13 km) north of Rockdale. The city of Cameron is the largest town located on the Little River. It was founded in 1846.
The Little River and its connecting rivers drain a large area of flat farmland, about 7,560 square miles (19,580 km²). The Little River moves slowly and does not have fast-moving sections called rapids. Because of this, it is not often used for fun activities like canoeing or kayaking. The trees and plants along its banks include willows, cottonwoods, pecans, elms, and sycamores. In the 1980s, some water from the Little River was used to help fill Alcoa Lake.
The Little River has had different names throughout history. In 1716, an explorer named Domingo Ramon called it San Andres. Later, in 1719, the Marquis de San Miguel de Aguayo named it Espiritu Santo. This was because he found it on the day before Pentecost. In 1727, Pedro de Rivera y Villalon thought it was just a part of the Brazos River. The name San Andres was used for a long time. But when Texas became a republic, people started calling it the Little River.
Scientists have found old tools and items in the Little River valley. These items are from a very old time called the Archaic Period. This shows that people have lived in this area for thousands of years. In the early 1700s, Spanish explorers met members of the Lipan Apache and Tonkawa tribes living along the river. As European and American settlers arrived in the 1840s, these Native American groups slowly moved away.
Contents
Leon River: A Major Branch
The Leon River is another important river in Central Texas. It joins the Lampasas River to form the Little River. The Leon River itself starts from three smaller streams: the North, Middle, and South Forks. These streams meet in Eastland County.
The Leon River flows for about 185 miles (298 km) to the southeast. It does not have enough water for fun activities in its upper parts, except after heavy rains. A large dam was built on the Leon River near Belton. This dam created Belton Lake. Belton Lake helps control floods and provides drinking water for the Belton and Temple areas. After the dam, the Leon River flows for about 12 more miles (19 km). Then it meets the Lampasas River, forming the Little River. The lower parts of the Leon River usually have enough water for recreational use all year. These areas flow through a beautiful part of the Cross Timbers region of Central Texas. The Leon River was named after a Spanish explorer and governor, Alonso de León.
Lampasas River: Exciting Rapids
The Lampasas River begins in western Hamilton County. It flows southeast for about 75 miles (120 km). It passes through Lampasas County, Burnet County, and Bell County. In Bell County, the Lampasas River turns northeast. A dam was built on it near Belton, creating Stillhouse Hollow Lake. The river continues for about nine miles (14 km) past this lake. Then it meets the Leon River to form the Little River near Little River, Texas. Smaller streams like Bennett, Lucy, Sulpher, Simms, School, and Turkey creeks flow into the Lampasas.
The Lampasas River flows through flat land with shallow dips. The soil is mostly clay and sandy. Trees like hardwoods and conifers, along with grasses, grow well here. The river usually has enough water for canoeing and kayaking. It even has some exciting rapids, especially after it rains. These rapids are found in the Edwards Plateau area. This region has limestone cliffs and a river shape that creates moderate rapids.
The name of the river might come from a Mexican town called Lampazos. Spanish explorers from the Aguayo expedition in 1721 traveled north from Mexico. Records show the river had this name at least 100 years before the county was formed. In 1850, at least 56 people lived along the river. Today, towns like Adamsville, Rumley, Kempner, and Oakalla are located along the Lampasas.
San Gabriel River: A Winding Path
The third main river that flows into the Little River is the San Gabriel. It starts in Georgetown at San Gabriel Park. This is where its North and South Forks meet. About 20 miles (32 km) east of Georgetown, a dam was built near Granger, creating Granger Lake. The river then flows about 30 more miles (48 km) northeast. It joins the Little River about five miles (8 km) south of Cameron.
The land along the San Gabriel River changes a lot. It has thick plants on its banks and sometimes limestone cliffs. These cliffs are part of the Balcones Escarpment in the Blackland Prairie. The water levels in the river go up and down. Except during dry summer months, there is usually enough water for fun activities. Cities and towns along the San Gabriel include Rockdale, Thorndale, Granger, Taylor, Georgetown, Bertram, and Burnet.
The river was first named Río de San Francisco Xavier by the Ramon expedition in 1716. It was also mentioned in the journals of the Aguayo expedition in 1721. On his map from 1828, Stephen F. Austin mistakenly called the river "San Javriel." From this mistake, the name changed over time to "San Gabriel." The San Xavier missions were built in 1745 along the river. They were a few miles upstream from where Brushy Creek joins the river. In May 1839, the San Gabriel was the site of the battle of the San Gabriels, an important fight with Native Americans. Brushy Creek was also the location of the battle of Brushy Creek in February 1839.
The South Fork of the San Gabriel River starts four miles (6 km) east of Burnet in Burnet County. It flows 34 miles (55 km) east through Williamson County before meeting the North Fork in Georgetown. The North Fork starts 12 miles (19 km) north of Burnet in Burnet County. It flows south for 43 miles (69 km) into Williamson County to meet the South Fork in Georgetown. A dam on the North Fork, about three miles (5 km) northwest of where the two forks meet, created Georgetown Lake. Both forks are very pretty and winding rivers with many limestone cliffs. However, you can only use them for fun activities when there has been enough rain, as their water flow is not always steady.
The San Gabriel also has two other smaller branches: the Russell and Middle forks. The Russell Fork starts six miles (10 km) north of Burnet and flows into the North Fork. The Middle Fork starts five miles (8 km) east of Liberty Hill in Williamson County. It flows east to join the North Fork about one mile (1.6 km) west of I-35 near Georgetown. Other streams that flow into the San Gabriel during certain seasons include Brushy, Alligator, Opossum, Berry, Pean, Little, and Oatmeal creeks.
See also
In Spanish: Río Little (Texas) para niños
