Neches River

Neches River
The KCS Railway bridge over the Neches River in Beaumont is a major transportation link for the region.
Map of the Neches River and associated watershed
Basin features
Main source	East of Colfax, Texas 32°30′N 95°45′W / 32.500°N 95.750°W / 32.500; -95.750
River mouth	Sabine Lake 29°58′08″N 93°51′21″W / 29.96889°N 93.85583°W / 29.96889; -93.85583Coordinates: 29°58′08″N 93°51′21″W / 29.96889°N 93.85583°W / 29.96889; -93.85583
Basin size	10,011 sq mi (25,930 km2)
Tributaries	Left: Flat Creek Village Creek Pine Island Bayou Right: Bayou La Nana Ayish Bayou Angelina River
Waterbodies	Rhine Lake Lake Palestine Steinhagen Reservoir
Physical characteristics
Length	416 mi (669 km)

The Neches River (/ˈneɪtʃᵻz/) begins in Van Zandt County east of Rhine Lake and flows for 416 miles (669 km) through east Texas to its mouth on Sabine Lake near the Rainbow Bridge. Two major reservoirs, Lake Palestine and B. A. Steinhagen Reservoir are located on the Neches. Several cities are located along the Neches River Basin, including Tyler, Lufkin, Silsbee, Evadale, Beaumont, Vidor, Port Neches, Nederland, Groves, and Port Arthur.

With the exception of the manmade lakes, much of the river is in a natural state. For example, from Lake B.A. Steinhagen down to Beaumont, the Neches River flows through the Big Thicket National Preserve. This important ecosphere preserves the area where several ecosystems converge - an event that harkens back to the last glacial period. The Big Thicket Visitor Center is off U.S. Highway 69 several miles north of Kountze.

The Lower Neches Valley Authority is the river authority which oversees the Neches River in Tyler, Hardin, Liberty, Chambers, and Jefferson counties of Texas.