2022 Map of Palacios SE

About this map

Matagorda Peninsula forms a narrow, protective barrier between the open Gulf of Mexico and the interior waters of Matagorda Bay. This 2022 survey details a complex coastal ecology defined by shifting bayous and submerged hazards. Navigational markers and maritime features are prominent, including the engineered Intracoastal Waterway cutting through the northwestern portion of the map. The interior shoreline of the peninsula is deeply indented by tidal drainage systems such as Maverick Bayou, Big Bayou, and Forked Bayou. Underwater features like Mad Island Reef and Shell Island Reef highlight the shallow, reef-filled nature of the bay side, which stands in contrast to the straight, wave-beaten beach on the Gulf side. This map serves as a contemporary record of the fragile Texas coastline before further erosion or sea-level changes alter these landforms.