The Surface Geology of the Resacas
San Benito, Texas, located in Cameron County, is on the coastal plain region of Texas. Typical landscape features for this area are: depressions, tidal flats, levees, point bars, back swamps, meander belts, barrier islands, and an old sub-delta of the Rio Grande River. Resacas are former channels of the Rio Grande River and formed after the Gulf of Mexico rose to about its present level. The resacas are scientifically referred to as meander belts. Some meander belts found in Cameron County are Resaca de Rancho Viejo, Resaca de La Palma, and Resaca de los Fresnos, which runs through the heart of San Benito. The Resaca de los Fresnos meanders northeast through San Benito and approximately 18 miles beyond. The resaca banks are slightly higher in elevation than the surrounding lands. In all, there are 32.5 miles of canals and resacas that run through Cameron County.