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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Big Bend National Park1950s road sign advertising the park
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Big Bend National Park
Rivers and Streams

rivers and streams includes:

The Rio Grande
A brief history of water
 
Canyon of the Rio Grande

NPS/Big Bend National Park

Canyon along the Rio Grande.

The Rio Grande is the defining feature of the Big Bend. It is here that the river swings abruptly to the northeast after flowing south and southeast for nearly 1,000 miles.

In the desert life clings to water, and it is along the Rio Grande and intermittant streams that wildlife is often found. Both humans and animals are attracted to and depend on the limited water of the Rio Grande.
The Chisos Mountains tower above the desert lowlands  

Did You Know?
Rising to nearly 8,000 feet, the Chisos Mountains are like an island in the desert. The cooler, forested habitat of the mountains is home to Arizona cypress, quaking aspen, Carmen mountains whitetail deer, and the Colima warbler.

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Last Updated: August 16, 2006 at 16:38 EST