Buffalo Bayou
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Buffalo Bayou is a main waterway flowing through Houston, Texas, USA. It begins on the west side of the city and flows east to the Houston Ship Channel. Along the way the bayou accents several major parks and numerous smaller neighborhood parks. The bayou is spring-fed and rises west of Houston near Katy, Texas.
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[edit] Route
The Buffalo Bayou's main impoundment is the Barker Reservoir at the Barker Dam which regulates the bayou's flow. In addition to controlling floodwaters, the Barker Dam is used to keep the bayou at a specific height during downtown festivals. From Barker Dam, the bayou flows east under Texas Highway 6. Also beginning at Barker Dam is Terry Hershey Park which consists of the land on both sides of the bayou from Texas Highway 6 to Texas Beltway 8 (also known as the Sam Houston Tollway). Jogging, biking, and fishing are popular in this area, although most people consider the bayou unfit for swimming.
Between Texas Beltway 8 and Interstate 610 (or Loop 610), there is little public access to the bayou since the land along the bayou is privately owned. This stretch of the bayou passes through the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa.
On the east side of Loop 610, Buffalo Bayou passes into Memorial Park and is once again enjoyed by joggers and cyclists. Adjoining Memorial Park, the bayou enters the River Oaks Country Club. A short distance thereafter is Buffalo Bayou Park which is bordered on the north by Memorial Drive and the south by Allen Parkway. From here the bayou flows through downtown Houston and soon flows into the Houston Ship Channel.
[edit] History
The bayou has a significant place in Texas history, not only due to the founding place of the City of Houston, but also because the final battle for Texas Independence was fought along its banks where it merges with the San Jacinto River at the communities of Lynchburg and Harrisburg, near present day Deer Park, Texas.[1]
The original Port of Houston was located at the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou in downtown Houston near the University of Houston-Downtown campus. This area is called "Allen's Landing" and is now a park. It is the birthplace of the City of Houston.[2] Numerous historical sites, as well as ruins of old docks and facilites, can be seen along the banks of Buffalo Bayou.
Today, despite the urban environment, Buffalo Bayou and its parks remains the centerpiece for many festivals and gatherings in Houston throughout the year. It is also still very popular for canoeing.
[edit] References
- ^ Kemp, L.W., & Kilman, E., The Battle of San Jacinto (and the San Jacinto Campaign) (1947) - presented on line by the Sons of DeWitt Colony Texas (McKeehan, W.L., 1997-2006).[1]
- ^ Kleiner, D.J., "Allen's Landing," The Handbook of Texas Online (Texas State Historical Association, February 3, 2005).[2]
