Buffalo Bayou
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. 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.
| Buffalo Bayou | |
|---|---|
An unchannelized section of Buffalo Bayou near Memorial Park in Houston | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Fort Bend, Harris |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Junction of Willow Fork and Cane Island Branch |
| • location | Katy, Texas |
| • coordinates | 29.767895°N 95.825756°W |
| Mouth | |
• location | Galveston Bay |
• coordinates | 29.761408°N 95.086903°W |
| Length | 53 miles (85 km) |
| Basin size | 500 square miles (1,300 km2) |
| Basin features | |
| Population | 440,000 |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Mayde Creek, Turkey Creek, Rummel Creek, Spring Branch, White Oak Bayou, Hunting Bayou, Greens Bayou, San Jacinto River |
| • right | Brays Bayou, Sims Bayou, Vince Bayou |
| Inland ports | Houston Ship Channel, Port of Houston |
As the principal river of Greater Houston, the Buffalo Bayou watershed is heavily urbanized. Its 102-square-mile (260 km2) direct drainage area contains a population of over 440,000. Including tributaries, the bayou has a watershed area of approximately 500 square miles (1,300 km2).