San Bernard River
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[edit] San Bernard River
[edit] Origin
San Bernard River flows from its headwaters northwest of San Felipe, Texas to its mouth on the Gulf of Mexico, some 100 miles (160 km) to the southeast of the source. Its principal tributary is Caney Creek. Along its course, it passes through portions of Austin, Brazoria, Colorado, Fort Bend, Matagorda and Wharton counties. It passes alongside the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, which shelters one of the last populations of the critically endangered Attwater's prairie-chicken, a ground-dwelling grouse of the coastal prairie ecosystem.
[edit] Facts
The San Bernard drains approximately 1,850 square miles (4800 km²) of land,[1] and its basin area is home to approximately 87,000 people according to the 1990 census. The region was once the home of the Karankawa Indians. The river runs near West Columbia, Texas and along one side of Camp Karankawa, a camping facility of the Boy Scouts of America. The basin receives approximately 35 to 70 inches (900 to 1800 mm) of rainfall annually.
The San Bernard River is one of the few rivers in Texas that empties directly into the Gulf, rather than into a coastal bay system. Its mouth is south of the city of Lake Jackson, Texas, and just before it empties into the Gulf it crosses the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shows that the mouth of the river is moving westward approximately 150 meters per year.
[edit] Recreational
The San Bernard River is one of the most popular recreational rivers in southern Texas.
[edit] Activities
The San Bernard is unique in the way that in one day you can go fishing, then take the family out for water skiing, and then top it off with a trip to the beach.
[edit] Food
There are 3 restaurants located on the river, which are Hi 5's, 2J's Cafe(transferred ownership 2/1/07), and Dido's Restaurant, all are accessible from the river via boat, or land via car.
[edit] Gas
There are two marinas located on the river that offer gas, which are 2J's Cafe and Dido's Restaurant, but keep in mind every marina has to add a $0.25 tax to every gallon of gas sold, so it may get quite expensive.
[edit] Events
There are 2 parades yearly, which are the yearly Christmas Parade and yearly Fourth of July parade. Also the Fourth of July parade is usually planned with the River's End Fire Department's yearly Fourth of July fireworks show, which all locals will tell you is a must see(especially from a boat).
[edit] F.O.R. San Bernard
Friends Of the River San Bernard is an organization set up by the citizens who live on or around the river. They have many goals to achieve, but mainly aim to keep the river clean, and the mouth open (which is currently an issue). They also host several parades throughout the year and have annual meetings.
