Amistad

https://www.nps.gov/amis/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amistad_National_Recreation_Area Amistad National Recreation Area is a park unit managed by National Park Service (NPS) that includes the area around the Amistad Reservoir at the confluence of the Rio Grande, the Devils River, and the Pecos River near Del Rio in Val Verde County, Texas. The reservoir was created by the Amistad Dam (Presa de la Amistad in Spanish), completed in 1969, located on the Rio Grande at the United States-Mexico border across from the city of Ciudad Acuña in the Mexican state of Coahuila. Amistad, Spanish for "friendship," refers broadly to the close relationship and shared history between Ciudad Acuña and Del Rio. An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, a Spanish word meaning "friendship," is known for excellent water-based recreation, camping, hiking, and rich cultural history dating back nearly 5,000 years. Amistad is also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life both above and below the water. Amistad National Recreation Area is located on the US-Mexico border 7 miles west of the Del Rio city limit and 6 miles west of the US Highway 90 and 277 North intersection. The park is 160 miles west of San Antonio on US Highway 90 and about 230 miles east of Big Bend National Park via US Highway 90 and US Highway 385. Access to Amistad from the north or south is via US 277/377. The visitor center address is 10477 Highway 90 West, Del Rio, TX 78840. Amistad National Recreation Area Visitor Center The Visitor Center offers several park-related movies. _Transparent Border_ is the park's official movie about how the reservoir came to influence a relationship between the US city of Del Rio and Mexico's Ciudad Acuña. It is available in English and español and is 35 minutes long. The Visitor Center takes credit or debit card only and sells America the Beautiful National Park and Federal Lands passes, lake use passes, Amistad hunting permits, and camping permits. There is also a bookstore with souvenirs. The Visitor Center is six miles west of the Highway 90 and 277 North intersection. It is approximately 10 miles (15 minutes) from the heart of Del Rio, Texas, and 242 miles (4 hours 16 minutes) from Big Bend National Park. GPS Coordinates 29.466011, -100.988348 or Lat-Long: 29° 27' 57.6000" N 100° 59' 18.2796" W 277 North Campground 277 North Campground is generally open year-round and rarely fills up. A boat launch ramp off the campground may be available depending on lake levels. 277 North offers 17 primitive sites, which are first-come, first-served only. Each site has a covered picnic table and a BBQ grill. A group site is available with reservation only. No ground fires are allowed. The sites are suitable for tents or RVs. Vault toilets are available. No drinking water or hookups are available. 277 North Campground Standard Site, Nightly Rate (Regular) 6.00 Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; there are no reservations. Fee is payable within 30 minutes of occupying a campsite. This can be paid at a centrally located self-pay fee station, which accepts credit or debit cards only. Checkout time is 11am. 277 North Campground Standard Site, Nightly Rate (with Interagency Sr/Access Pass) 3.00 Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; there are no reservations. Fee is payable within 30 minutes of occupying a campsite. This can be paid at a centrally located self-pay fee station, which accepts credit or debit cards only. Checkout time is 11am. San Pedro Campground Group Site, Nightly Rate (Only with Recreation.gov Reservation) 35.00 One site available, reservation only. Fees charged on a tiered system as follows:1-15 people: $35.00, 16-35 people: $75.00, 36-75 people: $155.00. Make reservations on Recreation.gov no less than 3 days and no more than 180 days in advance. Check-out time is 11:00am. Quiet hours are from 10:00pm until 6:00am. No hook-ups. 277 North Campground 277 North Campground 277 North Campground 277 North Campground, Standard Campsite Picnic table under shade shelter. 277 North Campground, Standard Campsite 277 North Group Campsite Open space with a fire pit and covered picnic area for the group campsite. 227 North Campground Group Campsite Facilities 277 North Campground, Standard Site 1 Picnic table under metal shade shelter 277 North Campground, Standard Site 1 277 North Campground, Standard Site 2 Picnic table on cement pad under metal shade shelter 277 North Campground, Standard Site 2 277 North Campground, Standard Site 13 Picnic table on cement pad under shade shelter with BBQ grill 277 North Campground, Standard Site 13 Governors Landing Campground Governors Landing Campground is open year-round and rarely fills up, except possibly on holiday weekends. It is suitable for tents and RVs up to 28 feet in length. Governors Landing is the only campground in the park with potable water available, though there are no hookups. This campground has access to some of the most popular swimming areas in the park. Picnicking at vacant sites in Governors Landing Campground is allowed 7am to 3pm. Occupying sites outside these times requires payment of camping fees. Governors Landing Campground Standard Site, Nightly (Regular) 10.00 Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; there are no reservations. Fee is payable within 30 minutes of occupying a campsite. This can be paid at a centrally located self-pay fee station, which accepts credit or debit cards only. Checkout time is 11am. Governors Landing Campground Standard Site, Nightly (with Interagency Sr/Access Pass) 5.00 Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; there are no reservations. Fee is payable within 30 minutes of occupying a campsite. This can be paid at a centrally located self-pay fee station, which accepts credit or debit cards only. Checkout time is 11am. Arial view of Governors Landing Campground Arial view of Governors Landing Campground Arial view of Governors Landing Campground Governors Landing Campsite Governors Landing Campsite Governors Landing Campsite Rock Quarry Group Campsite Rock Quarry Group Campsite is open year-round and is a limited development campsite. It offers a private space for a group of up to 35 people. Amenities include a pavilion-covered picnic area with tables and an accessibility ramp, a grill, trash receptacle, vault toilet, and a campfire ring. Rock Quarry Group Campsite Fee Up to 15 People 35.00 Site can be reserved at least three days before date needed and no more than six months ahead of time. Rock Quarry Group Campsite Fee 15-35 People 75.00 Site can be reserved at least three days before date needed and no more than six months ahead of time. Rock Quarry Pavilion Tin-roofed pavilion with cement floor and accessibility ramp surrounded by flat ground. Pavilion for group meals and gatherings. Interior of Rock Quarry Pavilion with Vault Toilet and Trash Receptacle Inside the pavilion showing 3 of the tables and trash can and vault toilet. Inside the pavilion looking out at scenery and trash receptacle and vault toilet Rough Canyon Campground Rough Canyon Campground is generally open year-round and is in close proximity to a boat ramp. There may be a camp host on duty in the winter, and a Ranger Station is staffed intermittently. This campground offers 4 primitive sites, each with a covered picnic table and a BBQ grill. The sites are suitable for tents or RVs. No drinking water or hookups are available. Comfort station and running water available nearby at the Ranger Station. Rough Canyon Campground Standard Site, Nightly (Regular) 6.00 Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; there are no reservations. Fee is payable within 30 minutes of occupying a campsite. This can be paid at self-pay fee station near the boat ramp, which accepts credit or debit cards only. Checkout time is 11am. Rough Canyon Campground Standard Site, Nightly (with Interagency Sr/Access Pass) 3.00 Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; there are no reservations. Fee is payable within 30 minutes of occupying a campsite. This can be paid at self-pay fee station near the boat ramp, which accepts credit or debit cards only. Checkout time is 11am. Rough Canyon Campground Aerial view of Rough Canyon Campground surrounded by lake on three sides. Aerial view of Rough Canyon Campground Rough Canyon Campsite 1 Table under shade shelter with view of lake in background. Campsite 1 Rough Canyon Campsite 2 Picnic table under shade shelter next to fire grill with view of lake seen behind brushy vegetation. Campsite 2 Rough Canyon Campsite 3 Picnic table under the shade of a shelter with brushy vegetation in background. Campsite 3 Rough Canyon Campsite 4 Picnic table in the shade of a shelter and next to a fire grill with view of lake. Campsite 4 San Pedro Campground San Pedro Campground is open year-round and rarely fills to capacity. Of Amistad's campgrounds, it is the best suited for large RVs. This campground is accessed via a 1¼ mile graded, gravel road and offers 34 sites suitable for tents or RVs. There are also 8 walk-in (tent only) sites. Each site has a covered picnic table and a BBQ grill. Ground fires are prohibited. Vault toilets are available. No drinking water or hook-ups. San Pedro Campground Standard Site, Nightly (Regular) 6.00 Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; there are no reservations. Fee is payable within 30 minutes of occupying a campsite. This can be paid at a centrally located self-pay fee station, which accepts credit or debit cards only. Checkout time is 11am. San Pedro Campground Standard Site, Nightly (Interagency Sr/Access Pass) 3.00 Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; there are no reservations. Fee is payable within 30 minutes of occupying a campsite. This can be paid at a centrally located self-pay fee station, which accepts credit or debit cards only. Checkout time is 11am. San Pedro Campground Group Site, Nightly (Only with Recreation.gov Reservation) 35.00 One site available, reservation only. Fees charged on a tiered system as follows:1-15 people: $35.00, 16-35 people: $75.00, 36-75 people: $155.00. Make reservations on Recreation.gov no less than 3 days and no more than 180 days in advance. Check-out time is 11:00am. Quiet hours are from 10:00pm until 6:00am. No hook-ups. Arial view of San Pedro Campground Arial view of San Pedro Campground San Pedro Campground San Pedro Campsite Picnic table under shade shelter at San Pedro Campground One of the standard campsites at San Pedro Campground San Pedro Standard Campsite Covered picnic table, other campsites, trash receptacles, and vault toilet building in distance. A standard campsite in San Pedro Campground. Campsite at San Pedro Campground Campsite at San Pedro Campground San Pedro has RV drive up accessible campsites. Self Pay Fee station Self Pay Fee station Camping fee can be paid when you arrive to the site at the self pay station View of Boat Ramp from San Pedro Group Campsite View of boat ramp in distance from San Pedro Group Campsite. View of boat ramp in distance from San Pedro Group Campsite. San Pedro Group Campsite Meeting Area View of fire pit with several benches in a clearing. San Pedro Group Campsite Meeting Area San Pedro Group Campsite View of covered area with several tables under it. Shade-sheltered Picnic Table Area Spur 406 Campground Spur 406 Campground is generally open year-round and rarely fills up, except possibly on holiday weekends. It may close on occasion due to high water events. A boat launch ramp off the campground may be available depending on lake levels. This campground offers 6 primitive sites, each with a covered picnic table and a BBQ grill. No ground fires are allowed. The sites are suitable for tents or RVs. Vault toilets are available. No drinking water or hookups are available. Spur 406 Campground Standard Site, Nightly (Regular) 6.00 Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; there are no reservations. Fee is payable within 30 minutes of occupying a campsite. This can be paid at a centrally located self-pay fee station, which accepts credit or debit cards only. Checkout time is 11am. Spur 406 Campground Standard Site, Nightly (with Interagency Sr/Access Pass) 3.00 Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; there are no reservations. Fee is payable within 30 minutes of occupying a campsite. This can be paid at a centrally located self-pay fee station, which accepts credit or debit cards only. Checkout time is 11am. Spur 406 Campground Spur 406 Campground Spur 406 Campground Spur 406 Boat Ramp Long road to lake in distance with minimal vegetation to each side Spur 406 Boat Ramp Spur 406 Campground, Standard Campsite 1 Photo of picnic table under shade shelter Spur 406 Campground, Standard Campsite 1 Spur 406 Campground, Standard Campsite 2 Picnic table under a shade shelter with metal trash can. Spur 406 Campground, Standard Campsite 2 Spur 406 Campground, Standard Campsite 3 Picnic table in the open with metal trash can and bar-b-que grill nearby. Spur 406 Campground, Standard Campsite 3 Spur 406 Campground, Standard Campsite 4 Picnic table and bar-b-que grill under the shade of a shade shelter. Spur 406 Campground, Standard Campsite 4 Amistad Reservoir and Hwy 90 Bridge Sunset over Amistad Reservoir with Highway 90 bridge to left of photo going over the reservoir and i Enjoy the serenity of sunset at Amistad National Recreation Area's Governors Landing Day Use Area. View of Amistad National Recreation Area from The Diablo East Nature Trail Amistad National Recreation Area Blue skies and blue waters are common at Amistad National Recreation Area Under the HWY 90 Bridge Under the HWY 90 Bridge A view of the Amistad Reservoir and the HWY 90 Bridge from Governors Landing. The shoreline along Amistad National Recreation Area A view of the peaceful shoreline along Amistad National Recreation Area A peaceful view of the shores along Amistad National Recreation Area Sunset over Amistad National Recreation Area Sunset over Amistad National Recreation Area The ever chainging and beautiful sunsets in Southwest Texas are one of the many things visitor enjoy while at Amistad National Recreation Area. Limestone shoreline along Amistad National Recreation Area Limestone shoreline along Amistad National Recreation Area Limestone is visible along the shoreline of Amistad National Recreation Area. NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Amistad National Recreation Area, Texas Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. lake side picnic shelter Amistad Vascular Plant Inventory In 2002, the Chihuahuan Desert Network supported a two-year inventory of the vascular plants in Amistad National Recreation Area by the Wildlife Diversity Program of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Lake Amistad bordered by diverse vegetation communities Mammals of Amistad National Recreation Area Amistad National Recreation Area is positioned near the boundary of three biotic regions—Chihuahuan Desert, Edwards Plateau, and Tamaulipan Shrublands—and includes the confluences of the Rio Grande, the Pecos River, and the Devils River. Mammals have been studied both before and after the reservoir was constructed from the 1960s-1980s. However, no comprehensive mammalian inventory had been conducted within the park until this project. Ring-tailed cat in a tree Climate Change and the Chihuahuan Desert The Chihuahuan Desert Network is currently developing protocols to monitor several vital signs that may reflect current and future impacts of climate change. This brief offers a summary of how Chihuahuan Desert Network monitoring will detect future change. Smith Springs is one of many springs that serve as a water source for plants & animals in the CHDN. Amistad National Recreation Area Reptile and Amphibian Inventory Three major rivers (Pecos River, Devils River, and the Rio Grande) and the Amistad Reservoir occur in Amistad National Recreation Area (NRA). These diverse terrestrial and aquatic systems contribute to Amistad NRA’s high level of biodiversity. Searches for reptiles and amphibians were primarily focused along the eastern shore of the reservoir. Rio Grande leopard frog at the edge of shallow water Air Quality in the Chihuahuan Desert Three park units in the Chihuahuan Desert Network, Big Bend National Park (NP), Carlsbad Caverns NP, and Guadalupe Mountains NP are designated as Class I air quality areas under the Clean Air Act. Class I areas receive the highest protection under the act, and degradation of air quality must be minimal. Air quality concerns include atmospheric deposition effects and visibility impairment from fine particle haze. Rugged landscape under a partly cloudy sky at Big Bend National Park Amistad Bird Studies Amistad National Recreation Area and its surroundings are in a transitional zone between eastern, western, northern, and southern avifaunas, which provides the opportunity to see a wide variety of birds. Over 200 species of birds, both resident and migratory, have been documented at the recreation area. Painterly photo of an American avocet walking through shallow water Module Conducts Wildland-Urban Interface Projects Throughout the Intermountain Region In 2013, the Saguaro Wildland Fire Module (WFM) managed multiple projects simultaneously in AZ, TX, and NM. WFMs are highly skilled and versatile fire crews that provide expertise in long-term planning, ignitions, holding, prescribed fire preparation and implementation support, hazardous fuels reduction, and fire effects monitoring. With their help, fire fulfills its natural or historic role to meet resource and management objectives and create fire-adapted communities. Exotic Plants Monitoring in the Southern Plains and Chihuahuan Desert National parks, like other publicly managed lands, are deluged by new exotic species arriving through predictable (e.g., road, trail, and riparian corridors), sudden (e.g., long distance dispersal through cargo containers and air freight), and unexpected anthropogenic pathways (e.g., weed seeds mixed in with restoration planting mixes). Landscape with a uniform, green foreground consisting of invasive kochia Southwest River Environments In the arid Southwest, water means life, and prehistorically, rivers were the lifelines of the people. The Colorado River flowing through a canyon Southern Basin and Range The Southern Basin and Range is an extension of the Basin and Range Province centered on Nevada and the Great Basin and extending from southern Oregon to western Texas, and into northwest Mexico. Mountains and Desert in Guadalupe Mountains National Park Climate Monitoring in the Southern Plains, Sonoran Desert, and Chihuahuan Desert Climate is one of many ecological indicators monitored by the National Park Service (NPS) Division of Inventory & Monitoring (I&M). Climate data help scientists to understand ecosystem processes and help to explain many of the patterns and trends observed in other natural-resource monitoring. In NPS units of the American Southwest, three I&M networks monitor climate using the scientific protocol described here. Kayaking across a fl ooded parking lot, Chickasaw NRA, July 2007. Series: Climate and Water Resource Monitoring at Amistad National Recreation Area Climate and water dramatically shape ecosystems, especially in arid and semi-arid places like Amistad National Recreation Area (NRA) in Texas. The reservoir at the park receives drainage from water basins in the U.S. and Mexico, including the Rio Grande, and Pecos and Devils rivers. A wide variety of plants and animals live in the park because it is in a transition zone between major life and climate zones. We monitor climate and water at the park to assess the condition of park ecosystems. A large body of water viewed through a break in desert trees and shrubs. Series: Chihuahuan Desert Network Reptile and Amphibian Inventories In 2003 and 2004, the University of Arizona conducted an inventory of reptiles and amphibians (herpetofauna) in six National Park Service Chihuahuan Desert Network parks. Primary objectives of this inventory were to document reptile and amphibian species, map the distribution of all species found, and determine a rough relative abundance for each species. Trans-Pecos ratsnake Series: Defining the Southwest The Southwest has a special place in the American imagination – one filled with canyon lands, cacti, roadrunners, perpetual desert heat, a glaring sun, and the unfolding of history in places like Tombstone and Santa Fe. In the American mind, the Southwest is a place without boundaries – a land with its own style and its own pace – a land that ultimately defies a single definition. Maize agriculture is one component of a general cultural definition of the Southwest. A Paleontological Survey at Amistad National Recreation Area: Swimming in the Mesozoic and Hunting in the Quaternary Paleontologist Christy Visaggi reflects on the fossil record preserved at Amistad National Recreation Area. three fossil snails Changing Patterns of Water Availability May Change Vegetation Composition in US National Parks Across the US, changes in water availability are altering which plants grow where. These changes are evident at a broad scale. But not all areas experience the same climate in the same way, even within the boundaries of a single national park. A new dataset gives park managers a valuable tool for understanding why vegetation has changed and how it might change in the future under different climate-change scenarios. Green, orange, and dead grey junipers in red soil, mountains in background Climate and Water Monitoring at Amistad National Recreation Area: Water Year 2021 Climate and water dramatically shape ecosystems, especially in arid and semi-arid places like Amistad National Recreation Area (NRA) in Texas. The reservoir at the park receives drainage from water basins in the U.S. and Mexico, including the Pecos and Devils rivers and the Rio Grande. The park supports a wide variety of plants and animals because it is in a transition zone between major life and climate zones. We monitor climate and water to assess park ecosystems. A blue lake viewed from between prickly shrubs on a rocky embankment. Series: Park Paleontology News - Vol. 13, No. 2, Fall 2021 All across the park system, scientists, rangers, and interpreters are engaged in the important work of studying, protecting, and sharing our rich fossil heritage. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/newsletters.htm">Park Paleontology news</a> provides a close up look at the important work of caring for these irreplaceable resources. <ul><li>Contribute to Park Paleontology News by contacting the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/common/utilities/sendmail/sendemail.cfm?o=5D8CD5B898DDBB8387BA1DBBFD02A8AE4FBD489F4FF88B9049&r=/subjects/geoscientistsinparks/photo-galleries.htm">newsletter editor</a></li><li>Learn more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/">Fossils & Paleontology</a> </li><li>Celebrate <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/">National Fossil Day</a> with events across the nation</li></ul> fossil skull on display outdoors Making an Impact: Long-Term Monitoring of Natural Resources at Intermountain Region National Parks, 2021 Across the Intermountain Region, Inventory & Monitoring Division ecologists are helping to track the effects of climate change, provide baseline information for resource management, evaluate new technologies, and inspire the next generation of park stewards. This article highlights accomplishments achieved during fiscal year 2021. A man looks through binoculars at sunrise. Aquatic Invasive Species Join Ranger Kierra as she shares about the crucial roles that Mussel Dogs; Clean, Drain, Dry; education; early detection; and you play in preventing aquatic invasive species invasions at Amistad National Recreation Area and other parks and waterways. Biology Technician Kierra Christy and friends talk about AIS. From Buffalo Soldier to Bath Attendant: The Story of Hugh Hayes and Hot Springs National Park Learn about the life of Hugh Hayes, an African American man from Tennessee, and how his life as a Buffalo Soldier and bath attendant at Hot Springs National Park connected him to significant moments in American history. African American man wearing a white shirt and tie sits in a wooden chair Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park Service To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on how dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways: Janssen, S.E., C.J. Kotalik, J.J. Willacker, M.T. Tate, C. Flanagan Pritz, S.J. Nelson, D.P. Krabbenhoft, D. Walters, and C. Eagles-Smith. 2024. Geographic Drivers of Mercury Entry into Aquatic Foods Webs Revealed by Mercury Stable Isotopes in Dragonfly Larvae. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02436 close up of dragonfly larvae on white spoon Climate and Water Monitoring at Amistad National Recreation Area: Water Year 2022 Climate and hydrology shape ecosystems and how they function. This report summarizes Water Year 2022 climate, groundwater, reservoir level, and springs data. We monitor climate and water by taking measurements throughout the year, which helps us track changes over time. The sky glows a gentle orange just after sunset over a rippling lake. “Cracking the code” on mercury bioaccumulation Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on a model to predict mercury risk park waterbodies: Kotalik, C.J. et al. 2025. Ecosystem drivers of freshwater mercury bioaccumulation are context-dependent: insights from continental-scale modeling. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c07280 A person stands in a field looking at a bug through a magnifying lens.

Amistad Amistad National Recreation Area Texas mistad—"friendship" in Spanish—lies on the United States-Mexico border. The park offers excellent water sports, fishing, birding, canoeing, and bow hunting. The reservoir was created for flood control, water •»:». storage, power generation, and recreation in 1969 with '\# the completion of Amistad Dam. Two bronze eagles at the dam's center symbolize the cooperation between . Mexico and the United States in building and managing the dam. The park extends 81 miles up the Rio Grande, 14 miles up the Pecos River, and 25 miles up Devils River. Amistad National Recreation Area (NRA) protects and interprets exceptional examples of Lower Pecos River rock art, one of the densest concentrations of Archaic rock art in North America. The Panther Cave archeological site, jointly protected by Amistad NRA and Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site, is seven miles from the Pecos River boat ramp and accessible only by boat. The spectacular Panther Cave pictograph panel is 100 feet long and contains figures 18 feet high. The National Park Service provides a public boat dock and steps that lead to Panther Cave. ^ Amistad Dam is operated and maintained jointly by the United States and Mexico sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission. The commission transferred ownership of the land on the United States side of Amistad Reservoir to the National Park Service in 1990, when Congress designated the area Amistad National Recreation Area. Today Amistad's mild temperatures make the area a popular winter destination, and good fishing is enjoyed year-round. Welcome to—Bienvenido a—Amistad! Amistad Reservoir has ing, and archeological 540 miles of shoreline sites are major attracin Texas. The Rio Grande tions. The international boundary follows is navigable for about a line of mid-channel 75 miles behind the buoys along the hisdam. Boating, watertoric riverbed. skiing, fishing, camp- scuba gear. Water temperatures drop to 54°F in winter and rise to 84°F in summer. People enjoy swimming from May to October. Steep limestone cliffs, some over 200 feet high, rise above the Pecos River and the upper Rio Grande arms of the reservoir. Carved by the rivers over millennia, exposed layers tell the region's geologic history. Fossilized shells reveal that this area was once covered by a shallow, inland sea. Other Animals Animals commonly seen here are w h i t e tailed deer, javelina, rock squirrel, blacktailed jackrabbit, ringtail, Texas banded gecko, and ninebanded armadillo (see illustration). Poisonous Critters Watch for western diamondback, Mexican black-tailed, and rock rattlesnakes, Trans-Pecos copperheads, Texas coral snakes, yellow jacket wasps, centipedes, scorpions, and black w i d o w and recluse spiders. Tarantulas A The park offers yearround adventure. You can explore the lake and the Pecos and Devils rivers in motorboats, sailboats, kayaks, houseboats, and Indian tribes have lived here for thousands of years, hunting, fishing, and gathering other food. Many left their stories in rock art— pictographs—that are some of the oldest in North America. Carbon-dating reveals that some pictographs in Panther Cave are 3,500 years old. Steady winds on the reservoir make sailing a joy. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior The peninsula and coves (above) are just a portion of the reservoir's 350-mile shoreline in Mexico. To visit Mexico, drive across the dam or the bridge Getting To Know the Plants and Animals Plants Three plant communities meet at Amistad. Honey mesquite (see far right) and blackbrush of the South Texas Brush- lands converge on sotol and lechuguilla (far right) of the Chihuahuan Desert to the west. Both merge into the live oak and juniper savannah of the Edwards Plateau to the north. Topog- raphy, soil type, and rainfall determine where each community grows best, but they often mingle. Drought-tolerant plants include ceniza (far right), prickly pear cactus (middle), yucca, and ocotillo (below). Largemouth bass Crappie Channel catfish Fish Largemouth, white, and striped bass, crappie, yellow and channel catfish, and alligator gar are popular catches. Texas and/or Mexico fishing licenses are required in their respective waters. Know and obey the regulations. Tarantula are not poisonous but can inflict painful bites. Please be caref u l . Don't put your hands or feet in places you can't see. Birds Amistad has excellent habitat for resident and migratory birds. Look for great blue heron, scaled quail, turkey vulture, roadrunner, and an occasional peregrine falcon. in Del Rio, Texas. You must have your passport to return to the United States. Enjoying Amistad I I aLT^ I Lighted buoy 1 Boya iluminada I I Unpaved road — I Camino de tierra W<t Ranger station ' J - ' Puesto de guardaparque • * • Marina * - • Marina IB] Drinking water • - • Agua potable (5H Boat ramp •—» Rampa para barcos prrfj Campground • - J Camp

Chihuahuan Desert Network Inventory & Monitoring Program National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Amistad National Recreation Area Bird Checklist E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A TM Amistad National Recreation Area (NRA) contains a great diversity of birds, with 291 species having been documented. Amistad sits at the intersection of three bird conservation regions and offers a great variety of bird habitats. It is also on the central migratory flyway that connects breeding habitats in the Arctic with the Neotropics. This mix of habitats, along with Scaled Quail the fact that Amistad is where eastern, western, southern, and northern bird faunas meet, means that the park offers many birdwatching opportunities. The recreation area is a stopover for migratory species and a winter home for some species that nest in the north. Other species use the park during the summer breeding season while some live in the park year-round. Bird Conservation Regions Amistad NRA is located at the convergence of three bird conservation regions and contains a mosaic of habitats that represents all three. Bird conservation regions are ecologically-distinct regions in North America with similar bird communities, habitats, and resource management issues. The Chihuahuan Desert contains arid grasslands and shrublands, the Tamaulipan Brushland region has grassland, savanna, and thornscrub habitats, and the Edwards Plateau is dominated by mesquite, juniper, and oak savanna. Hence, Amistad is an ecotone, an area where biological communities converge, and has the resultant avian diversity. Amistad contains birds that are characteristic of each of the three ecoregions. Black-throated Sparrows, Pyrrhuloxias, Cactus Wrens, Scaled Quail, and Bell’s Vireos are typical in the Chihuahuan Desert. The reservoir provides important riparian and wetland habitats for species such as Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Osprey, Northern Shoveler, and Mallard. Long-billed Thrasher, LeConte’s Sparrow, Green Kingfisher, and Whitewinged Dove are important species of the Tamaulipan Brushland. 2 Amistad National Recreation Area ROBERT SHANTZ Birding at Many Intersections The Devils and Pecos rivers provide riparian habitat that funnels tropical species like Green Kingfishers and Great Kiskadees from the Tamaulipan Brushland into the park and further north than they might be expected to occur based on latitude. NPS PHOTO BY JACK JOHNSON The Edwards Plateau provides important breeding habitat for Blackcapped Vireos, Bell’s Vireos, and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. The Devils River above Big Satan Canyon (accessible only by boat). Bird Habitats Amistad NRA offers a mixture of upland, riparian, and shore habitats for birds. The geography of the area consists mainly of low, rolling hills and valleys near Amistad Dam, with steep-walled limestone canyons up to approximately 200 ft (60 meters) deep where the Rio Grande, Pecos, and Devils rivers enter the reservoir. Upland habitats include shrublands dominated by acacias, mesquite, and cenizo, and grasslands of sideoats grama, slim tridens, three-awn, and bristlegrass. Wildflowers are a minor component of upland habitats but attract abundant insect life that in turn attracts feeding birds. Birds commonly seen in shrublands include Scott’s Orioles, Northern Mockingbirds, hummingbirds, Cactus Wrens, and gnatcatchers. Birds like Dickcissels, Vermilion Flycatchers, and Grasshopper, Vesper, and White-crowned Sparrows are commonly seen in grasslands. © JEROD ROBERTS Great Egret The Amistad Reservoir provides a variety of shore and wetland habitats. The open waters of the lake provide habitat for many duck species, pelicans, and flocks of American Coots that number in the hundreds in the wintertime. The rocky shorelines and small islands, despite their sometimes barren appearance, provide excellent foraging and nesting habitat for species like the Snowy Plover, American Avocet Bird Checklist 3 DAVID JONES and Interior Least Tern. The lack of vegetation in these areas is desirable for many species as a safeguard against predators. The open habitat also provides foraging space for species like Eastern and Say’s phoebes that feed on flying insects. Rocky shorelines provide protected habitat for many bird species. Riparian species are found along the Rio Grande below Amistad Dam and in canyons near the upstream terminus of the reservoir. In these narrow stretches of river, both riverine and forested wetlands featuring river cane, sycamore, willows, and pecan trees, along with various sedges and rushes, form habitat for many songbird species that either nest there or use the rivers as migratory corridors. Huisache trees and other thorny shrubs form groves that interface between upland and riparian habitats, forming “edge” habitats. Edge habitats are often one of the best places to look for birds. Look for orioles, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Blue Grosbeaks, Painted Buntings, and Northern Cardinals in thes



Amistad National Recreation Area National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dam Location Follow Highway 90 west approximately 8 miles from Del Rio, Texas and turn left onto Spur 349. Proceed 2.4 miles until you reach the top of the dam. Be aware that the dam is an official Port of Entry and visitors wishing to see the dam are required to have a valid pass port with them. The Dam is open most days from 10 am to 6 pm. There is parking available on the top of the dam on both the American and Mexican side. Amistad Dam, located on the Rio Grande, is 12 river miles (19km) northwest of Del Rio, Texas and Cuidad Acuna, Coahuila, 574 miles (924 km) upriver from the Gulf of Mexico, and 1 mile (1.6 km) below the confluence with the Devils River. Purpose The concrete gravity dam with flanking earth embankments was built for flood control, water conservation, hydroelectric power and recreation. History Amistad (meaning “friendship” in Spanish) Dam was constructed by the United States and Mexico in accordance to the Water Treaty Act of 1944. It was built in response to frequent droughts and a number of floods, the worst of which occurred in 1954, killing over 300 Del Rio residents. While several sites were considered for the dam the ultimate site selection along the Rio Grande was chosen due to its strategic location below the confluences of the Pecos and Devils Rivers. Prior to building the dam, 56,570 acres of land was acquired by the U.S. Government to accommodate the reservoir. In addition, 14.3 miles of Southern Pacific Railroad track and 16.3 miles of U.S. Highway 90 and 2.7 miles of U.S. Highway 277 were rerouted to make way for the reservoir. Dam construction began in August of 1963 and was completed in 1968 by a joint venture of four U.S. contractors (Perini Corporation, Leavall & Co. J.A. Jones Construction Co. and Vinnell Corporation) along with one Mexican firm (La Victoria y Asociados). The overall cost of the dam amounted to $125,000,000. The U.S. portion totaled $72.3 million dollars while the Mexican portion totaled $52.7 million dollars. The cost of the dam was shared between the U.S. and Mexican Governments according to a ratio that reflects the amount of water allocated to each country. The conservation capacity of the reservoir is 56.2% to the U.S. and 43.8% to Mexico. Construction Photos Amistad Dam was dedicated by President Richard Nixon of the United States and President Diaz Ordaz of Mexico on September 8, 1969. Each country separately installed hydroelectric generating plants. The U.S. Power Plant was constructed 1980-1983. Mexico’s Power Plant was constructed 1981-1987. Today Amistad Dam is operated and maintained jointly by the United States and Mexico Sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), a branch of the U.S. State Department. The National Park Service (NPS) began providing for and managing recreation at Amistad Reservoir on November 11, 1965. The IBWC transferred ownership of the lands on the United States side of Amistad Reservoir to the NPS on November 28, 1990. Construction Length of Dam U.S. 1.81 miles (2.9 km) Features Mexico Total 4.25 miles 6.06miles (6.8km) (9.75 km) Height of Dam Roadway is 254 feet (77.4 m) above the riverbed and 1,152.3 feet (351.2 m) above mean sea level. Gates 16 gates in total 50 feet wide 54 feet high 3,100,000 cubic yards (2,370,000 cubic meters) Embankment 13,500,000 cubic yards (10,320,000 cubic meters) Riprap 1,755,000 cubic yards (1,340,000 cubic meters) Concrete 1,800,000 cubic yards (1,375,000 cubic meters) Reinforcing Steel 6,000 tons (5,400 metric tons) Structural Steel 6,500 tons (5,900 metric tons) At Conservation Level (1,117 feet above mean sea level) Reservoir Capacity Length of Rio Grande River Arm Length of Pecos River Arm Length of Devils River Arm 85 miles (138 km) 14 miles (28 km) 25 miles (40 km) Storage Volume 5,535,000 acre feet Water Depth at Dam 217 feet (66 m) 16 spillway gates capable of releasing 1,500,000 cubic feet per second (42,670 cubic meters) Hydroelectric Generation Rock excavation Shoreline U.S. Mexico Total 547 miles (880 km) 304 miles (489 km) 851 miles (1,370 km) Surface Area U.S. Mexico Total 43,250 acres 21,750 acres 65,000 acres . The average annual U.S. generation = 161,000,000 kilowatt hours Normal flow through each turbine at rated load = 2,300 cubic feet per second Turbine generator speed = 200 rotations per minute Generator voltage = 13,800 volts Two units: Generators 33,000 kilowatts each Turbines 42,300 horsepower each Historical Floods Mexico’s power plant is similar to the U.S. with equal generating capabilities. 1954 – Hurricane Alice formed as a tropical depression in the Bay of Campeche during the morning of June th th 24 , became more intense and developed into a hurricane during the daytime of the 24 . She made landfall 20 th miles south of Brownsville, Texas during the late morning hours of the 25 . The system moved dir