The Trinity River Basin is the biggest river basin in the State of Texas, providing water to the people in Dallas/Fort Wirth (DFW) and Houston. It belongs to the third largest river in Texas and has an average flow volume. Today the state municipality is working to create long-term solutions for cleaning and purifying the basin water for use. Several plants are in the process of supplying clean water to the state.
The History of Trinity River Basin
After the European settlement, the basin was named the Spanish named the river “The Most Holy Trinity.”A French explorer also mentioned the basin for his inspiration. Rene Robert La Salle mentioned that he stood on the banks of the river in 1687 and named it the River of Canoes. The river worked as the highway of the frontiersmen as it provided the easiest travel from land to the sea. Several avenues opened up in the banks of the river to make profits from the commerce. The town of Fort Worth was one of the first towns to establish on the north side of the river. Soon after, Dallas became the fastest-growing metropolitan area of the country and also the hub for commerce near the Trinity River Basin.
Lakes Trinity River Basin has over 30 lakes, including Lake Amon G Carter, Lake Halbert, North Lake, Trinidad Lake, Lavon Lake, Lake Bridgeport, Benbrook Lake, Lake Arlington, Houston Country Lake, etc.
Importance of Trinity River Basin
The population in Texas is expected to rise significantly in the coming years, which will give rise to urbanization. The consumption of land and water will increase, and as a result, we can experience a long-term loss in the ecosystem function. Texas municipality holds the responsibility to create better solutions for the resource conservation of the state. The Trinity River basin is a major resource that has been reducing at a significant rate due to the rising population.
The land use for urbanization and industrial development, row-crop farming, livestock production, timber production, outdoor recreation, etc., are promoting land use that is affecting the water quality and quantity of the basin. The right way to conserve and improve the natural resources for future generations is responsible land stewardship. Trinity River Basin requires landscape-level conservation planning for the restoration of the water body. A major initiative for the restoration of the trinity river basin would give the following results.
- Improved water quality in the river will offer clean water to over 512 miles and other major tributaries.
- Increased flood plain capacity will prevent flooding in low-lying areas.
- It will improve the wildlife habitats such as wetlands near the banks of the river, bottomland hardwoods, and grasslands.
- Improvement in the watershed ecosystem will once again create business and resources for over eight million people living in the region.