Ernst tinaja, Big Bend National Park , Texas
Tenaja Falls part of Tenaja Canyon Creek , Cleveland National Forest , California , USA - seen from Tenaja Truck Trail
A tenaja or tinaja is a water basin or retention area. The term usually implies a natural or geologic cistern in rock which retains water. They are often created by erosional processes within intermittent streams.
Before European settlers came to America , tenajas were a valuable source of water for early Native Americans traveling in the desert areas of the Southwest . Today, tenajas are an integral part of sustaining life in the arid Southwest. For example, tenajas at the Santa Rosa Plateau in southern California allow western pond turtles , California newts and red-legged frogs to survive through dry summer months.[ 1]
During prolonged dry spells, deep tinajas may trap desert animals who cannot climb out due to the smooth walls.[ 2] [ 3] [ 4]
Etymology
From the Spanish tinaja: a clay pot or earthenware jar.[ 5]
List of tenajas
References