A Geology Study <\/a>of Buffalo Bayou<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Zombie Memorial Groves in Memorial Park \u2013 Comment and Petition<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Flood Control Proposes a Tax Increase<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Oct. 7, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n The massive loblolly pine was lying across the path in the bayou woods. A regal giant downed by the monster winds of Hurricane Beryl. It was a profoundly sad sight.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n We hadn\u2019t been to the woods in this part of Houston\u2019s Memorial Park<\/a> since the storm in July. We were there to take our seasonal fall photo of that bend in the bayou from a high bank located off the Picnic Loop in the southeast side of the park. You can see the entire series of photos here<\/a>. We\u2019ve been documenting the bend from the same spot throughout the seasons for the last ten years \u2013 ever since Save Buffalo Bayou was founded to protect this stretch of the river<\/a>, one of the only remaining natural stretches of the bayou\u2019s riparian forest accessible to the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because that broad-based effort was successful in stopping the bulldozing and landscaping of the park\u2019s banks<\/a>, the geologic history of the region is still visible. Using as a foundation the work of our board member, geologist Tom Helm<\/a>, the Houston Geological Society has recently published a paper on that geology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n We entered the woods, passing by the familiar pile of century-old cement sewer line junk from Camp Logan<\/a>. The first shock was the amount of vegetation that had been cleared \u2013 by the storm and by humans. Now we could easily see into the open right-of-way where poles and power lines traverse the park from east to west.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The woods were not exactly lush. We\u2019ve had record heat and violent weather. Before Beryl ripped through in July, we had a nightmarish derecho<\/a> in May. The region is still in a state of abnormally hot and dry weather<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But as we stepped down the soft sandy path just after sunrise, the woods were surprisingly cool.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n We took some photos and walked east towards the lovely winding creek that drains from the center of the park, flowing under Memorial Drive south towards the bayou. Its mouth where it enters the river was stuffed with debris \u2013 branches and bits of trash.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n At least we still have these wild woods for now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the 2015 Master Plan<\/a> for our city\u2019s great Memorial Park includes a deeply unpopular project that many assumed had been cast aside. Apparently it\u2019s still alive. But you can sign a petition opposing it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.savebuffalobayou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/12.-pine-down.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.savebuffalobayou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/4.-bend-better.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.savebuffalobayou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1.-powerline-clearing.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.savebuffalobayou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/13.-path-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.savebuffalobayou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/6.-creek-farther.jpeg\")
<\/a>Zombie Groves Planned for Memorial Park Forest<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n