2025 Map of Potrero Cortado

About this map

Padre Island National Seashore dominates this coastal landscape, protecting a massive stretch of the barrier island and its interior lagoons. The map documents the intricate hydrography of the Laguna Madre, where the Intracoastal Waterway carves through the Land Cut, a vital artery for maritime traffic. The western side of the waterway is defined by a series of potreros, or grazing lands, such as Potrero Cortado, Potrero Farias, and Potrero Lopeno, which reflect the ranching heritage of this remote Kenedy County coastline. These features, along with names like Potrero de los Caballos, indicate a landscape shaped by both natural tidal forces and historical land use. To the east, the vast expanse of The Hole separates the mainland-facing potreros from the primary dunes of Padre Island and the Gulf of America.