Pease River

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Pease River
Photo of North Pease River
North Pease River in Cottle County
Redrivermap1.jpg
Map of Red River and tributaries
Location
Country United States
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationConfluence of North and Middle Pease, Cottle County, Texas
 • coordinates34°14′20″N 100°07′27″W / 34.2389597°N 100.1242754°W / 34.2389597; -100.1242754[1]
 • elevation1,538 ft (469 m)
Mouth 
 • location
Red River, Tillman County, Oklahoma
 • coordinates
34°12′02″N 99°01′47″W / 34.2006436°N 99.0297969°W / 34.2006436; -99.0297969Coordinates: 34°12′02″N 99°01′47″W / 34.2006436°N 99.0297969°W / 34.2006436; -99.0297969[1]
 • elevation
1,102 ft (336 m)
Length100 mi (160 km)
Basin size760 sq mi (2,000 km2)
Basin features
River systemRed River

The Pease River is a river in Texas, United States. It is a tributary of the Red River that runs in an easterly direction through West Texas . It was discovered and mapped for the first time in 1856 by Jacob de Córdova, who found the river while surveying for the Galveston, Houston and Henderson Railroad Company; it was named after Texas Governor Elisha M. Pease.[2] In December 1860, the Texas Rangers recaptured Cynthia Ann Parker and her daughter from the Comanche Indians at an engagement along the river.[2]

The river begins 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Paducah in northern Cottle County and runs eastward for 100 miles (160 km) to its mouth on the Red River 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Vernon. Its course flows through "flood-prone flat terrain with local shallow depressions, surfaced by sandy and clay loams";[2] part of it forms the county line between Hardeman and Foard Counties.

The river has three main branches, the North Pease, Middle Pease, and Tongue (or South Pease) Rivers;[2] the beginning of the main river is variously given as where all three branches come together,[2] or where only the North and Middle Pease Rivers intersect.[3][4] Satellite and topographical imagery, however, clearly shows that the Tongue River empties into the Middle Pease before the latter's meeting with the North Pease.[5]

North Pease River[]

The North Pease rises 9 miles (14 km) southeast of on the Caprock Escarpment in eastern Floyd County and runs 60 miles (97 km) through Motley, Hall and Cottle before meeting the Middle Pease River.[3] It begins at 3,100 feet (940 m) and descends over 1,500 feet (460 m), cutting a wide, sandy bed through mostly flat terrain; most of the area through which it passes is remote ranchland.[3]

Middle Pease River[]

The Middle Pease river rises 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Matador at the confluence of Mott and Boggy Creeks in western Motley County; it flows about for 65 miles (105 km) in an eastward direction before joining the North Pease in northeastern Cottle County. It runs through flat, isolated ranch territory; the only settlement ever established on its banks was the now-ghost of Tee Pee City. The state has established a 28,000-acre (110 km2) region called the Matador Wildlife Management area along its course in northwestern Cottle County.[4]

Tongue River[]

The Tongue River, or South Pease River, was named allegedly for a 19th-century disease, called "black tongue", that killed many area buffalo.[6] It rises 11 miles (18 km) west of Roaring Springs in southwestern Motley County, and flows 40 miles (64 km) east and northeast through rugged ranch- and canyonland. The geographic feature of the Roaring Springs (not to be confused with the town), 4 miles (6.4 km) downstream from the river's source, was a popular gathering place for Indians, cowboys, and others.[6] A ranch club is now located near the spring, where State Highway 70 crosses the river.[7]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Pease River
  2. ^ a b c d e "Handbook of Texas Online - Pease River". Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  3. ^ a b c "Handbook of Texas Online - North Pease River". Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  4. ^ a b "Handbook of Texas Online - Middle Pease River". Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  5. ^ "Google Maps". Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  6. ^ a b "Handbook of Texas Online - South Pease River". Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  7. ^ "Google Maps". Retrieved 2009-08-22.

External links[]

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