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1952 Map of Matagorda SW

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Matagorda SW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

The Matagorda Peninsula forms a narrow barrier between the high-energy waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the calmer reaches of Matagorda Bay. This 1952 topographic survey captures the delicate hydrology of the Texas coast before major modern interventions, highlighting the discharge of the Colorado River as it cuts through the peninsula. Local navigation and coastal life are centered around the natural inlets and hazards, such as Dog Island Reef and Tiger Island Channel.

The landscape is defined by tidal marsh and bayous, including Zipprian Bayou and Spring Bayou, which weave through the low-lying terrain. While largely undeveloped, the presence of a Well and a Gaging Station indicates the early industrial and scientific interest in monitoring these coastal resources. Small landmasses like Tiger Island and Greek Island sit at the river's mouth, serving as important markers for those studying the shifting silt and shoreline of Matagorda County.