2025 Map of Palacios SE

About this map

Matagorda Peninsula forms a narrow barrier between the open waters of the Gulf of America and the sheltered expanse of Matagorda Bay. This coastal landscape is defined by its intricate network of tidal inlets and aquatic features, including Maverick Bayou, Big Bayou, and Long Bayou, which cut through the salt marshes and sandy stretches of the peninsula. Submerged features like Mad Island Reef and Shell Island Reef highlight the ecological importance of these estuarine waters, indicating a habitat shaped by centuries of sediment transport and tidal action. The map illustrates a contemporary view of this dynamic shoreline, where the lack of human infrastructure emphasizes the persistence of natural coastal processes in Matagorda County.