TMEA Fall Workshop

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT: Matagorda!

“What Happened in West Texas Didn’t Stay in West Texas…
it ended in the Gulf of Mexico!”

Select here to download complete workshop information and registration form

The water that we watched bubble up from the ground in San Angelo has almost completed its journey down the Colorado River. Come join us on the beach as we say “Bon Voyage” as it starts a new phase of its journey and leaves Texas for a trip up the east coast on its way to Norway.

A special place awaits us where the lower Texas Colorado River channel meets the Gulf of Mexico. Matagorda Bay Nature Park, owned and operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority, and its staff will open their facility to help us complete our study of the water, the river and its impact on Texas. This 1600 acre park is an environmentally significant piece of property that encompasses beach, dune, estuarine, riparian and river ecosystems.

While visiting the park we will use Global Positioning System units to gather data in the estuary from a kayak. We will compare, contrast, and perform water quality analysis from the estuary, Gulf of Mexico and the old Colorado River channel. We will do a riparian analysis and look at dune defenses and beach processes. Matagorda County is once again the birding capitol of North America with 291 species identified during the last Christmas census. We will also collect and identify plankton from the channel.

We will have a discussion of the impact of man on the present condition of the river and bay system. Finally we will look at the data and knowledge collected on our journey and try to come to an understanding of what happens to this valuable resource as it crosses our state.

We will meet Friday night, for those who arrive in time, at the Rivers Bend Grill and Tavern on the bank of the Colorado River for an evening of fun and fellowship. Hotel accommodations are being arranged in Matagorda for Friday and Saturday. A continental breakfast will be provided as well as lunch on Saturday. Saturday night we will meet at the LCRA beach pavilion for a sea food boil, a night beach walk and a star watching party. Bring your favorite beverage and an appetite. On Sunday morning we will meet again at educational facility for breakfast and several final activities before heading for home at noon.

Space is limited so reserve your spot soon!!!!

Remember…The River is the Reason.