Which state capital is on the Colorado River?

Answer 1

Austin, TX. Correct and yet somewhat confusing because there are two entirely different Colorado River systems in the US. * The Colorado River (Texas) that passes through Austin does not have the State of Colorado as its point of origin. Its drainage basin includes a part of Eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle and it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. * The Colorado River (US) that originates at La Poudre Pass Lake in the State of Colorado and is a part of the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains drainage system carves out the Grand Canyon, fills Lake Mead, irrigates the Imperial Valley and provides the power source for Hoover Dam and empties into the Gulf of California. Part of the problem stems from the vast territory that makes up the American Southwest and the difficulty involved in mapping and exploring it. The other involves the Spanish language since both Rivers are colored red. The Colorado River has had a variety of Spanish and English names: * Rio de Tizon (River of Embers or Firebrand River). * Rio de Buena Guia, Rio del Tecon, Rio de Coral, Rio Grande de las Apostles, Rio del Tison, Rio Colorado de los Martyres and Rio Colorade. * For years the question for US Cartographers was should it be called the Verde, Green, Buenaventura, Grande or the Colorado. * The US Congress settled the issue in 1921 with contested and dubious legislation that made the Green River a tributary of the Colorado instead of the other way around. * The Colorado River (Texas) was also often confused with the Brazos River and even worse with the Red River even further North which creates a bigger problem since there are also two different Red River systems.