Buffalo Bayou

Buffalo Bayou
An unchannelized section of Buffalo Bayou near Memorial Park in Houston
Map
Location
Country United States
State Texas
CountyFort Bend, Harris
Physical characteristics
SourceJunction of Willow Fork and Cane Island Branch
 • locationKaty, Texas
 • coordinates29°46′04″N 95°49′33″W / 29.767895°N 95.825756°W / 29.767895; -95.825756
Mouth 
 • location
Galveston Bay
 • coordinates
29°45′41″N 95°05′13″W / 29.761408°N 95.086903°W / 29.761408; -95.086903
Length53 miles (85 km)
Basin size500 square miles (1,300 km2)[1]
Basin features
Population440,000
Tributaries 
 • leftMayde Creek, Turkey Creek, Rummel Creek, Spring Branch, White Oak Bayou, Hunting Bayou, Greens Bayou, San Jacinto River
 • rightBrays Bayou, Sims Bayou, Vince Bayou
Inland portsHouston Ship Channel, Port of Houston

Buffalo Bayou is a slow-moving body of water which flows through Houston in Harris County, Texas. Formed 18,000 years ago, it has its source in the prairie surrounding Katy, Fort Bend County, and flows approximately 53 miles (85 km) east through the Houston Ship Channel into Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.[2] In addition to drainage water impounded and released by the Addicks and Barker reservoirs, the bayou is fed by natural springs, surface runoff, and several significant tributary bayous, including White Oak Bayou, Greens Bayou, and Brays Bayou. Additionally, Buffalo Bayou is considered a tidal river downstream of a point 440 yards (400 m) west of the Shepherd Drive bridge in west-central Houston.[3]

As the principal river of Greater Houston, the Buffalo Bayou watershed is heavily urbanized.[1] Its 102-square-mile (260 km2) direct drainage area contains a population of over 440,000.[4] Including tributaries, the bayou has a watershed area of approximately 500 square miles (1,300 km2).[1]

  1. ^ a b c "Buffalo Bayou". University of Massachusetts. The Ecological Cities Project. 2006. Retrieved 2017-02-26.
  2. ^ "NOAA Nautical Chart 11325" [Houston Ship Channel - Carpenters Bayou to Houston; Buffalo Bayou]. NOAA Office of Coast Survey. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
  3. ^ Bosquez, Ted (November 2010). "The Houston Ship Channel: Water Quality Considerations" (PDF). Vinson & Elkins.
  4. ^ "Buffalo Bayou Watershed Overview" (PDF). Harris County Flood Control District. December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2017.