Where is choke canyon

Woody vegetation soaks up tremendous amounts of water that, in prehistoric times, instead would have fed regional drainages, making surface water more dependable than in modern times. And brush alone cannot be blamed for all of the loss; wells and irrigation pumping lower the water tables as well. Sadly, as the result of combined factors, the landscape of south Texas has been changed forever in less than two centuries. Looking back over the thousands of years of prehistoric time during which humans were active as hunter-gatherers in the Frio River valley, we must first appreciate the fact that their habitat was not as brushy and most of the time contained more sources of surface water.

Grasses were thicker and grasslands were more extensive. All the brush species were present, but most were confined to, or at least concentrated within, thin-soiled rugged slopes, arroyos, and rocky hilltops, and were kept in check by fires and densely-matted grasses. The water courses were lined with thick woodlands that included large trees, such as live oaks, elms, pecans, and others.

Over the 13,year stretch of prehistory evidenced at Choke Canyon the landscape changed in response to climatic changes. The area lies along the continental boundary between relatively moist conditions to the east and extremely arid to the west. Through time, as it still does today, the climate of south Texas would have oscillated from tolerably wet to terribly dry.

As today's ranchers know only too well, the region is prone to periodic drought cycles, some of them lasting only a few months, others lasting years. But most of us do not realize that dryer-than-average periods can also last for hundreds of years, as can wetter periods.

During dry times, particularly prolonged periods, the grasslands and woodlands suffered, as did the supply of surface water and water-loving plants and animals. In wetter times it was the reverse. So do not imagine an idyllic and unchanging green and grassy prehistoric wonderland; it was and is an area prone to marginal conditions and shifts from green to brown.

Photo by Curtis L. One of the methods used by landowners to clear the brush in the Choke Canyon area is to drag rail sections behind heavy chains. This effectively removes the brush to promote the growth of grass, but it sometimes has the unintended consequence of damaging shallow archeological sites. At other times, however, archeologists benefit from brush clearing. The Late Prehistoric bison butchering evidence at Skillet Mountain site was spotted after fresh exposure by chaining. Blooming prickly pear cactus along Old Highway 72, in the vicinity of Callaham, a small town now under the waters of Choke Canyon Reservoir.

Sloughs or oxbow "lakes" form in former river channels abandoned by the meandering Frio River and its largest tributaries. After floods, these were natural fish traps that hunter-gatherers must have taken advantage of as the water slowly evaporated. Schematic diagram across the Frio River Valley showing the major plant communities upon which prehistoric peoples depended.

Adapted from Jurgens , Figure Enlarge to see legend. For hunter-gatherers, the coalescent valleys of the Frio, Atascosa, and Nueces rivers near the aptly named town of Three Rivers created a rich environment. Explore the James E. Daughtrey Wildlife Management Area. Check its website for open dates. Visit the Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce website to learn more about this area. Reserve day passes online to guarantee entry!

Reserve by phone : We often reach capacity; reservations are highly recommended for both camping and day use. To guarantee entrance reserve passes online , or by calling the customer service center , before you visit.

January average low is 41 degrees. July average high is 95 degrees. Average rainfall is Choke Canyon State Park.

Park Alerts Unless you pay in the park office before closing time, the park is unable to give the gate combination. If you have a reservation, call the park office before 5pm if they will be arriving after 10 pm in order to get the gate combination.

Customers that will be leaving before the park office opens at 8 a. A fee schedule is posted on the sliding glass door at headquarters. Sign In or Sign Up. Find your spot. Cabin Campsite Electric Campsite with Water Group Camp 1. Group Hall 2. Gymnasium 1. Pavilion 5. Map Options. Zoom to:. Search results Full Campground. Other Campsites.

Boat Ramp. Dump Station. Fish Cleaning Facility. Hot Showers. Picnic Shelter. Scenic Overlook. Available online Unavailable online. Campsite List. Date Range Availability. Site type. Online availability.