Texas’ Natural Resources

Texas contains a number of different landforms and an

abundance of natural resources.

Water Resources

• Gulf of Mexico provides fishing and water sports

• Bays are also important fishing areas

• Pollution is becoming a problem making some seafood unsafe to eat in some areas.

Rivers

• Rio Grande, Red and Sabine are border rivers

• “Wrong Way” rivers running from dry places to wet places

• Most rivers are dammed forming lakes

Lakes

• Nearly two hundred major lakes

• Caddo Lake is the only natural lake

• Used for irrigation • Supplies cities with

drinking water

Aquifers

• Underground water used for irrigation of cities and farms

• Edwards Aquifer-supplies San Antonio

• Rainfall refills the aquifer• Ogallala Aquifer-

conservation programs trying to help

Rich Soil

• One of the most valuable resources

• Used for farming and ranching

• Farming and ranching produce $40 Billion in income

Three Vegetation Regions

• Forests (East Texas)-timber is a top cash crop

• Savanna (West and South Texas)-desert shrub area with limited use

• Grassland (Central Texas)-good farming, most cities located on it

Energy Production

• Minerals-petroleum, natural gas, coal, sand, salt

• Oil and gas produced $17 Billion per year

• ¼ of U.S. has been produced in Texas

Energy Production (cont.)

•Oil / Natural Gas (petroleum)-most important

•Coal

ENERGY

SALT•Mined in Grand Saline-Located outside of Dallas

BUILDING STONE

•Granite•Limestone•Gypsum

Who Am I?Create a Who Am I statement for each to

Texas’ natural resources…

ie: I live below the ground. I aid in irrigation and the survival of citizens. I am not easily refilled and will soon be dry.

Level 2In which natural vegetation region

would you most like to live? Why?

What would that area look like?

Level 1How do Texas’ natural resources

affect your life and the economy of the state?

HorizonsAnalyze how the availability of

natural resources affect an area or region’s economy.