1936 Map of West Brownsville

About this map

The Rio Grande snakes along the international border in this mid-1930s survey, defining a landscape of complex hydrological engineering and traditional cattle ranching. The river's meandering path has left behind numerous oxbow lakes, known locally as resacas, including the prominent Resaca de la Palma. These natural features are interspersed with an extensive irrigation network featuring the Main Canal, numerous pumping stations, and a dedicated Floodway designed to manage the unpredictable South Texas waters.