Little Red River (Texas) Explained

Little Red River
Image Alt:Photo of the Little Red River
Map:Little Red River Map.png
Map Size:350
Source1 Location:Briscoe County, Texas
Source1 Elevation:2282feet
Source1 Coordinates:34.4503°N -101.0513°W
Mouth Location:Hall County, Texas
Mouth Coordinates:34.5664°N -100.6054°W
Length:30miles
Mouth Elevation:1839feet
River System:Red River of the South
Tributaries Left:North Prong Little Red River
Tributaries Right:South Prong Little Red River

The Little Red River is an intermittent stream about 30miles long, formed at the confluence of the North Prong and South Prong Little Red River in Briscoe County, Texas, and flowing east-northeastward to join the Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River in Hall County, Texas.

Geography

The upper tributaries of the Little Red River are ephemeral streams known as the North Prong and South Prong Red River. Both streams originate along the eastern Caprock Escarpment of the Llano Estacado in Briscoe County, Texas, and flow through Caprock Canyons State Park. The North Prong flows to the north and the South Prong passes to the south of Haynes Ridge, a landmark feature of Caprock Canyons. The North Prong and South Prong merge at a point about 6miles north of Quitaque, Texas, to form the Little Red River proper.

The Little Red River initially runs eastward across Briscoe County and then turns northeastward as it approaches the Hall County line. The stream then continues in an easterly direction across sparsely populated ranch country of Hall County before merging with the Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River.

Overall, the Little Red River and its tributaries descend 1322feet from its headwaters to its confluence with the Prairie Dog Town Fork, in a 48-km journey passing through flat to moderately steep terrain along its course.

See also