Brazos River, Major river system in central Texas, United States.
The Brazos River stretches roughly 1280 miles from eastern New Mexico through Texas to the Gulf of Mexico at Freeport. It connects several watersheds and crosses varied terrain from highland areas down to coastal plains.
Stephen F. Austin founded the first Anglo-American settlement along its course in 1822, laying the groundwork for Texas colonization. The waterway became a major route during early settlement of the region.
The Caddoan peoples called the waterway Tokonohono before Spanish missionaries renamed it Los Brazos de Dios. Today it flows through farmland and cattle ranches that shape the character of the countryside along its banks.
Three dams along the course create Possum Kingdom Lake, Lake Granbury, and Lake Whitney, all open to the public. The banks are accessible for walking, while the lakes offer opportunities for fishing and boating.
The system forms a natural boundary between eastern and western Texas, crossing more than two dozen counties. Its basin covers roughly 45600 square miles with varied landscapes throughout.
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