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White Oak Bayou Watershed
About the Watershed
The White Oak Bayou watershed is located in central Harris County. The bayou originates northwest of FM 1960 and flows generally toward the southeast. The bayou drains areas in northwest portions of the county as well as the City of Jersey Village and portions of the City of Houston. White Oak Bayou joins Buffalo Bayou near downtown Houston. The watershed covers about 111 square miles and includes three primary streams: White Oak Bayou, Little White Oak Bayou and Cole Creek. Vogel Creek and Brickhouse Gully are among the major tributaries in the watershed. There are about 151 miles of open streams in the White Oak Bayou watershed, including the primary and tributary channels. The estimated population within the watershed is just over 416,000.
Flooding is frequent along the bayou and its tributaries, as many homes were constructed prior to the existence of detailed floodplain maps and prior to the adoption of floodplain management regulations. Many areas in the watershed recently experienced significant flooding due the devastating rainfall amounts brought by Tropical Storm Frances in 1998 and Tropical Storm Allison in 2001.
Land Use
Development has proceeded rapidly and is expected to continue in the northern and western areas of the watershed.
Environment
Wildlife habitat exists on undeveloped tracts scattered throughout the watershed and has been preserved and/or created in several of the large regional stormwater detention basins constructed by the District. Little undisturbed habitat exists along the urban channels of White Oak Bayou or its major tributaries.
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White Oak Bayou Watershed Stats:
| Drainage Area |
Watershed Population (in Harris County) |
Open Stream Miles |
Primary Streams |
| 111 Sq. Miles |
416,067 |
151 Miles |
White Oak Bayou
Little White Oak Bayou
Brickhouse Gully
Cole Creek
Vogel Creek |
Click on any of the watershed links below (also found in the in the left nav) to view detailed information about each of Harris County's watersheds.
> See also Watersheds & Channels Reference Guide PDF
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