The program at our monthly general meeting on April 8, 2021 was organized by long-time Sierra Club member and trip leader Tom Douglas. The annotated slide show is posted here, and a video recording of the meeting, which was held by Zoom, can be seen here.

To help understand the paths followed by local bayous and creeks, and how each one has come to have its own distinctive character, the presentation began with an overview of the Houston area’s surface geology. Some of the other topics covered for the individual trails included: Launch Sites, Parks and Trails, Rapids, Beaches, Human Influences, Flooding, Wildflowers, Birds and Animals, Trees, Scenery, Challenges for Paddlers, Other Recreational Uses, and Community Activities.

Each of our five local trails is at one stage or another in the process of becoming recognized as a Texas Paddling Trail, which is a state-wide program of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). The particular features of each trail were described in turn, beginning with a trail that is the very early stages of the approval process (Brays Bayou) and ending with one that has been fully approved and in operation for over 20 years (Buffalo Bayou). 

BRAYS BAYOU: The Brays Bayou Paddle Trail Coalition has established several launch sites, and is awaiting the completion of construction on several bridges before moving forward with accreditation by TPWD. Amy Dinn spoke on behalf of the Brays Bayou Paddle Trail Coalition.

CLEAR CREEK: The Clear Creek Paddling Trail, which is sponsored by League City Parks & Cultural Services, has three existing launches and plans for three others, all located at city or county parks. The department’s spokesperson was unable to attend due to illness.

GREENS BAYOU: The Greens Bayou Coalition currently has completed launch sites at two parks that were constructed as part of the Bayou Greenways Project, and it is developing plans for another launch site farther upstream. Colleen Gilbert and Charlie Patout spoke on behalf of the Greens Bayou Coalition.

Photo: Eagle over Greens Bayou by Charlie Patout

CYPRESS CREEK: The trail on Cypress Creek, which is sponsored by the Bayou Preservation Association, has been approved by TPWD, and is undergoing several final steps prior to its official opening. Tom Douglas spoke on behalf of the Bayou Preservation Association, which also sponsors the paddling trail on Buffalo Bayou.

BUFFALO BAYOU: Open since 2009, the Buffalo Bayou Paddling Trail extends 26 miles from Terry Hershey Park at Highway 6 to Allen’s Landing Park in downtown Houston.

These Paddling Trails offer a unique view of the Houston environment. Although organized trips by canoe and kayak have been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, notices for them are expected to return in coming months on the websites of the Houston Sierra Club, Houston Canoe Club, and Houston Association of Sea Kayakers. 

Author: Tom Douglas