The 2017 Cattle Drive Across The Colorado River, Matagorda Texas

With a resounding crack, as loud as a pistol shot, the cowboy snapped the bull whip. He was one of a dozen others trying to drive the lead cows into the Colorado River. The cows paused and froze before the yells and pistol like sounds of the whip finally induced the lead cow into the water. Another and another plunged in and started to swim across the muddy water.

We had waited most of the day for the tide to go slack. A strong incoming tide had prevented the drive across the river as it was too much of a challenge for the calves. Several times during the day the lead boat had tested the tide by throwing chunks of wood into the river. It wasn’t until after four pm that the tide finally went slack and the spring drive started.

With over a million dollars of cattle crossing the river, it had to be calm before such a gamble was possible. We watched from the campground shore as the cows swam the river and it was with baited breath the first one reached the shore.

Six hundred more cows were behind it and the lead cow froze unsure which way to go. More stacked up behind her before the pressure of the six hundred other cattle forced the leaders to make a choice. Heading toward a gap the herd followed.

The cowboys drove the last of the heard into the water. Several got disoriented and came ashore near us.

However, a bulkhead prevented them from climbing ashore and they seemed to look to us for guidance. Finally, they followed the herds path.

Meanwhile several calves were in trouble. A waiting boat moved quickly and physically grabbed one of the calf’s head, before dragging it safely to shore.

Returning to the middle of the channel the cowboy/deck hand bull dogged another calf and lifted it into the boat!

Now there was only one large cow, stuck in the mud.  Nearing it a cowboy swatted it with his rope and after several false starts it finally succeeded in getting unstuck and reaching dry land. The cattle had all made the crossing and were safely corralled in a large pen. From here they would be trucked to their summer range.

 If you ever get a chance to watch the cattle drive across the Colorado River, it happens twice a year, be sure to plan for several days stay. The tides and weather can change the drives actual date and the time is whenever the tides are slack. This year was the best one yet! Clear skies