2016 Map of Arroyo Veleno

About this map

Falcon Reservoir dominates the western edge of this South Texas landscape, where the waters of the Rio Grande reach into the drainages of Arroyo Veleno and Arroyo Costa Rica. The arid terrain of the Tamaulipan matorral is defined by an intricate network of arroyos and man-made water catchments necessary for ranching, such as Hondo Tank, El Varal Tank, and La Esquina Tank. The settlement of Zapata and the smaller community of Medina are situated near the reservoir's edge, reflecting the region's mid-20th-century shift toward water-based recreation and utility following the damming of the river.