- Pecos River
The Pecos River or Rio Pecos, as it is sometimes known in
New Mexico , arises nearPecos, New Mexico ,United States , and flows for convert|926|mi|km|0 through the eastern portion of that state and neighboringTexas before it empties into theRio Grande near Del Rio. The river drains approximately convert|44300|sqmi|km2 of land. [ [http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1987/ofr87-242/ Largest Rivers of the United States] , USGS]The river is dammed at Avalon and McMillan to help irrigate about convert|25000|acre|ha as part of the
Carlsbad reclamation project (established in 1906). Texas has also dammed the river at theRed Bluff Dam in the western part of that state to form theRed Bluff Reservoir . The portion of the reservoir that extends intoNew Mexico forms the lowest point in that state. New Mexico and Texas disputed water rights to the river until the federal government settled the dispute in 1949.The river played a large role in the exploration of Texas by the Spaniards.
In the latter half of the 19th century, "West of the Pecos" was a reference to the rugged frontiers of the
Wild West .Wild and Scenic River
On June 6, 1990, convert|20.5|mi|km|0 of the Pecos River - from its headwaters to the townsite of Terrerro - received
National Wild and Scenic River designation. convert|13.5|mi|km|0 are designated "wild" and convert|7|mi|km|0 are designated "recreational." [ [http://www.rivers.gov/wsr-pecos.html Pecos Wild and Scenic River, New Mexico] - National Wild and Scenic Rivers System]References
See also
*
List of New Mexico rivers
*List of Texas rivers
*List of National Wild and Scenic Rivers
* USS "Pecos" (AO-6) — a fleet oiler built in 1921.
* USS "Pecos" (AO-65) — a fleet oiler built in 1942.
* USNS "Pecos" (T-AO-197) — anunderway replenishment oiler built in 1990.External links
*
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