Salt Draw facts for kids

Salt Draw is a river located in the state of Texas, United States. It begins in Texas and flows into Toyah Lake, which is close to the town of Pecos. While it might not be one of the biggest rivers, it has played a role in the history of the area.

Salt Draw: A Texas River

Salt Draw is a natural waterway that helps shape the landscape of Reeves County in Texas. Like many rivers, its water levels can change a lot, especially during heavy rains.

The 2004 Flood

• On April 4, 2004, Salt Draw experienced a major flash flood.
• This sudden flood caused a protective wall, called a levee, around the town of Toyah to break.
• Most homes and properties in Toyah were flooded.
• The flood also destroyed the Interstate 20 bridge over Salt Draw. This bridge was an important link between Toyah and Pecos.
• Because the bridge was out, drivers had to use a different road, U.S. Route 285.
• Sadly, a traffic accident happened on this detour route, which was related to the unusual weather conditions.

A Home by the Draw

• The famous writer Jeannette Walls wrote a book called Half Broke Horses in 2009.
• In this book, she describes how her grandmother, named Lily, lived near Salt Draw.
• From 1901 to 1911, Lily lived in a special kind of home called a dugout.
• A dugout is a shelter built by digging into the side of a hill or into the ground. It was a common way for people to build homes in certain areas long ago.

More to Explore

• Geographic data related to Salt Draw at OpenStreetMap
• USGS Hydrologic Unit Map - State of Texas (1974)