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Activity  ⁄  Active Projects  ⁄  Buffalo Bayou  ⁄  Z-05 Buffalo Bayou Park Revegetation and Biostabilization

Z-05 Buffalo Bayou Park Revegetation and Biostabilization

Z-05 Buffalo Bayou Park Revegetation and Biostabilization
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CI-009 Drainage Improvements Along Clodine Ditch
CI-014 and F-81 W151-00-00 and W153-00-00
CI-016 Study to Evaluate Bridges and High-flow Bypasses
CI-018 Rehabilitation of Spring Branch
CI-024 Micro-Detention in the Buffalo Bayou Watershed
F-58 Linear Detention Between State Highway 6 and Sam Houston Tollway
F-59 W140-00-00 Spring Branch
F-82 1119 Commerce Street
F-79 Drainage Improvements on W157-00-00
Memorial Park Demonstration Project
North Canal
W129-00-00 Channel Modifications
Z-02 Feasibility study with St. George Redevelopment
Z-02 Partnership Project with Buffalo Bayou Partnership to Stabilize Northern Bank
Z-02 Partnership Project with Buffalo Bayou Partnership in Tony Marron Park
Z-05 Buffalo Bayou Park Revegetation and Biostabilization
Z-05 Fluvial Geomorphic Assessment to Improve Bank Stability and Resiliency of Buffalo Bayou
F-80 Drainage Improvements along Soldiers Creek
CI-017 Floodplain Storage along Buffalo Bayou
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Recent Actions

September 27, 2022 - Harris County Commissioners Court approved an award in the amount of $959,900 for revegetation, bio-stabilization, and related services.

August 10, 2021 Harris County Commissioners Court authorized a $175,000 agreement with Buffalo Bayou Partnership to implement biostabilization and revegetation of Buffalo Bayou between Shepherd Drive and Jensen Drive

May 19, 2020 - Harris County Commissioners Court approved new Bond ID added to the 2018 Bond Program List.

January 29, 2019 - Harris County Commissioners Court authorized initiation of Bond ID Z-05 Advanced Emerging Technologies for Flood Damage Reduction. This Flood Control District project to examine revegetation and biostabilization techniques near Buffalo Bayou Park is one of several included under Z-05.

Project Description

The Buffalo Bayou Park Revegetation and Biostabilization Project will revegetate the banks of Buffalo Bayou from Shepherd Drive to Capital Street and provide enhanced natural infrastructure to Buffalo Bayou Park. The project will utilize native vegetation and biostabilization techniques to strengthen the bayou’s banks and minimize erosive forces in areas specifically identified by a geomorphic stream assessment, as well as to areas that were recently modified while making Hurricane Harvey repairs. The work will occur in two phases from 2020-2022 to take advantage of vegetation growth and dormancy cycles to improve successful plant survival and implementation for this natural technique.

What does bio-stabilization mean?

The combined use of vegetation and structural elements to control erosion by stabilizing and strengthening soil. This streambank stabilization technique is often referred to as bio-stabilization.

There are areas of Buffalo Bayou Park that don’t have any grass or vegetation. What's happening in those areas?

Any time water levels rise significantly for extended periods of time, the vegetation and stability of the banks can be affected. Heavy rains or releases from Addicks and/or Barker Reservoirs can result in elevated water levels. Therefore, the many extended periods of high water make it difficult for vegetation to survive. There are also purposely designed ‘sediment benches’ in some of the low, flat areas adjacent to the channel that collect sediment transported by the water during storms and reservoir releases. These sediment benches are periodically accessed with equipment to remove the deposited sediment and are then revegetated with turf grass.

What kind of plants will be used in the revegetation effort?

Native trees and shrubs, including species like bald cypress, green ash, willow stakes, sycamore, willow oak, water oak, spicebush, and wax myrtle, will be planted to supplement the planted turf grasses. The final determination of species will be dependent on sourcing availability at the time of planting.

When will the storm damage repairs be revegetated?

The storm damage repairs are in the process of being revegetated with Bermuda grass as an effective stabilization measure. The supplemental native trees and shrubs will be planted in the fall and early winter of 2021, which is a more favorable planting time for woody species to achieve the highest rate of survivorship. Buffalo Bayou Partnership has planted a small area to serve as a prototype for the larger revegetation project that will occur later this year.

What is the study area for the BBFGA?

The assessment was performed along Buffalo Bayou from Shepherd Dr. to Jensen Dr., approximately 25,700 Linear Feet (LF), which is nearly 5 miles.

What will the BBFGA results look like?

The results will outline the findings of the BBFGA by identifying current areas of instability and potential project types to achieve improved channel stability and resiliency. These potential project types include:

  • Structural bank repairs
  • Erosion control features
  • A combination of multiple stabilization approaches

The BBFGA includes a prioritization list of potential projects based on a scoring system that considers the following factors:

  • Erosion severity
  • Erosion threat to infrastructure
  • Accessibility
  • Visibility
  • Permitting
  • Soil type

When and how will the public learn the BBFGA results?

The results will be posted to this project web page. The draft Buffalo Bayou Fluvial Geomorphic Assessment (BBFGA) is awaiting the completion of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Buffalo Bayou Tributaries and Resilience Study (BBTRS). The draft alternatives within the BBTRS study may have a direct impact on the BBFGA prioritized project list. Once we have more information from the BBTRS and have considered the potential impact on BBFGA, a public meeting will be scheduled.