Economy
The plentiful water provided by rivers fed from the Edwards Aquifer is the primary reason Spanish missionaries were able to establish so many missions, like the Alamo Mission in San Antonio. Later, immigrants found the Texas Hill Country welcoming because of the food, energy, and water provided by these rivers. Without this supply in the arid plateau, early colonization would have been far more difficult. Cities like San Antonio, New Braunfels, and San Marcos have been able to support large populations without the need to develop surface water resources. Farmers and ranchers south of the aquifer benefit greatly or entirely from the irrigation possible from these rivers.
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