Buffalo Bayou

Map of the catchment area of the Buffalo Bayou

Buffalo Bayou near San Felipe and Memorial Drive in west Houston

Confluence of Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou at Allen 's Landing

The Buffalo Bayou is a 95 km long watercourse by Houston, Texas. It begins west of Houston in Katy at the northern edge of the Fort Bend County for Waller County and flows east to the Houston Ship Channel. Along its course lie several large and small parks. The water level of the bayou is controlled by the Barker Reservoir above the Barker Dam. The dam will not only protect the city from flooding, but also serves to keep the Bayou a certain water level.

Course

From Barker Dam Bayou flows east under the Texas State Route 6 passes, Terry Hershey within the park, which consists of areas on both banks between Route 6 and the Sam Houston Tollway, also known as Beltway 8. The jogging, cycling and fishing is popular in this area, which is not suitable for swimming.

Between the Beltway 8 and Loop 610 little access to the bayou, because the country is along its banks in this section privately owned.

East of Interstate 610 runs through the Buffalo Bayou to the Memorial Park. A short distance below this the river is bordered by Memorial Drive in the north and from the Allen Parkway in the south. From then on, flows through the Bayou Downtown Houston, happens Allen 's Landing, where the White Oak Bayou opens. From then on to the mouth of the San Jacinto River Bayou is under the influence of the tides. He was dredged and forms a part of the Houston Ship Channel.

History

The Bayou has a significant importance in the history of Texas, not only because of the founding of the city of Houston, but also because of the Battle of San Jacinto, which was fought on its banks near the confluence with the San Jacinto River. The outcome of this battle was decisive for the independence of Texas from Mexico.

The original Houston port was at the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou in downtown Houston near the campus of the University of Houston -Downtown. This area is called Allen's Landing and is now a park. The area was the nucleus of the city of Houston. Numerous historical sites and ruins of old port facilities are on the banks of Buffalo Bayou banks of the still visible today.

Despite the urban setting of the Buffalo Bayou and the parks around it are meeting the residents at various festivities throughout the year. He is also popular with canoeists and kayak paddlers.