1985 Map of Zapata

About this map

The Rio Grande and the expansive Falcon Reservoir dominate this South Texas borderland, where the international boundary separates Texas from Tamaulipas, Mexico. The 1980s landscape is shaped by the massive engineering of the Falcon Dam, which created the reservoir and established the nearby communities of Falcon Village and Falcon Heights. Along the eastern shore, the town of Zapata serves as a primary hub, flanked by residential developments like Siesta Shores and Las Palmas. The map captures the intricate drainage system of the Rio Grande valley, with numerous seasonal streams such as Arroyo Molletes and Arroyo de las Veleño cutting through the brushland. Further inland, the small settlement of Bustamante remains a point of interest for those tracing the historic ranching and agricultural patterns of the brush country, while the Beckwith Arm highlights the deep reach of the impounded waters into the Texas interior.