Bayous

There are more than 800 miles of natural streams and 3,000 miles of human-made channels within the watersheds that drain Harris County.[i] Before development, clean water flowed through the winding bayous of the Gulf Coast region. Although the bayous are still one of Houston’s defining natural resources, they have changed dramatically.

Water Quality

Non-point source pollution – or the pollution from untrackable sources found in urban runoff – has degraded the water in most area bayous. Many streams do not meet state water quality standards. Fecal coliform and suspended particles are two of the most significant pollutants in the region’s waterways.[ii]

Alteration

Development has encroached on the region’s bayous. For years, residents have built close to the waterways, in the natural flood plain. In an attempt to control flooding, many bayous were dredged or cemented over, and vegetation was removed. Although the bayous do play an important part in storm water management and flood management, many believe this function should be balanced with their importance as wildlife habitat and open space for recreation.

Back to Nature

Several environmental organizations are working to put “nature” back in the region’s bayous. Replanting trees and native vegetation beautifies and provides habitat. Discouraging development near waterways helps control flooding and reduces non-point source pollution.

Some also advocate enhancing the bayous for recreation and transportation purposes. Parks, athletic fields, and hike and bike trails along the streambeds - rather than housing and businesses - can improve quality of life, reduce flooding, and filter urban runoff. Water quality monitoring is also essential to identify and control point and non-point source pollution.

Recent Progress

Planning for Buffalo Bayou

Early in 2000, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership in cooperation with the City of Houston and Harris County, created a set of guidelines to ensure that Buffalo Bayou’s downtown section is developed responsibly. The voluntary guidelines for developers address such issues as bayou edge treatment, setbacks, access, and visibility. Goals include creating a continuous pedestrian walkway along the waterfront and transforming the downtown area into a high profile visitor destination and recreational amenity. In the spring of 2002, the collaborating groups expect to release their master plan for Buffalo Bayou from Shepherd to the Turning Basin. The million-dollar project is based on a series of consensus meetings involving government officials, non-profit organizations, and the public.

Allen’s Landing

The City of Houston, Harris County, and Buffalo Bayou Partnership recently began redeveloping Allen’s Landing, a historic tract on Buffalo Bayou just east of Main Street below Commerce Street. Improvements include bulkhead stabilization, hike and bike trail development, and landscaping.

Waterway maps, photos, and stream ranking

The Bayou Preservation Association has collected a set of maps and photos of the waterways in the region, available on a website at www.bayoupreservation.org. The site also includes a ranking of each waterway by its status (e.g., streams in their natural state, streams that have been substantially modified).   

Buffalo Bayou could become National Heritage Area

In November, 2001, the US House of Representatives approved legislation to study a proposal to designate Buffalo Bayou as a National Heritage Area. If that designation is assigned, local officials could apply for up to $10 million in federal funds for improvements along the 10-miles of bayou between the Port of Houston turning basin and Shepherd Drive.

TMDL Studies of Buffalo and White Oak Bayous

Under the direction of the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) is conducting Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies concerning the high fecal coliform concentrations found in Buffalo and White Oak Bayous.  The studies will calculate the maximum amount of the pollutant that the waterbodies can receive and still meet water quality standards, and then limit the sources to that amount, Initial results are due out in the spring of 2002. TNRCC is also conducting a TMDL study on dioxin in the Ship Channel and upper Galveston Bay.

What You Can Do

Enjoy your bayous

Walk along a bayou or take advantage of a newly installed canoe launch.  

Reduce non-point source pollution

Fix automobile leaks, dispose of motor oil and other household hazardous wastes properly, and reduce or eliminate use of lawn pesticides and fertilizers. Never dump anything in a storm drain.

Volunteer for the bayous

Several local organizations work to protect and enhance the area’s bayous. They sponsor regular clean-ups, tree plantings, and water quality monitoring programs. Call the Bayou Preservation Association at (713) 529-6443 or the Buffalo Bayou Partnership at (713) 752-0314 for more information.