Armand Bayou is a slow-moving stream that flows through ABNC and on to the Galveston Bay. Much of this bayou and the adjacent marshes contain a mix of salt and fresh water. Armand Bayou's fresh water is intermixed with the tidal salt water from Galveston Bay to form "brackish" water. This meeting and mixing of fresh and salt water makes much of Armand Bayou an "estuarine" bayou. An estuarine bayou or estuary is a habitat formed when a river meets tidal waters from the ocean or salt water bay. The Armand Bayou estuary is larger than the actual stream.
Approximately 64 square miles of land surrounding Armand Bayou form the Armand Bayou watershed. Rain falling in this area eventually finds its way into Armand Bayou. Thus, the fresh water in Armand Bayou comes from rainwater runoff in the Armand Bayou watershed.
When water levels rise or land becomes depressed, a drowned stream can be created. A drowned stream is also called a flooded stream.
In the case of Armand Bayou, the land became depressed due to subsidence. Subsidence has occurred in the Houston area due to withdrawl of sub-surface water, gas, and oil. Most of the land in the Armand Bayou area has subsided 6-7 feet since about 1900. Switching to surface water has slowed or stopped the subsidence. However, many areas have been affected.
This earth cache will take you to a drowned meandering stream channel – a result of subsidence.
At the visitor center, get a trail map. Follow the Karankawa Trail to the two sets of coordinates shown below. The trail is a 1.36 mile loop through forested wetlands with two stops at Armand Bayou’s edge.
Go to N 29° 35.319 W 095° 04.725.
What evidence do you see of the drowned stream? From the shore, how far away is this evidence?
Go to N 29° 35.498 W 095° 04.757.
What is the name of the structure you see here? At this point, how close is the evidence of a drowned stream? There is a bench with a dedication plaque. Where is the person this bench is dedicated to from?
ALTERNATE WAY TO FIND CACHE - FROM THE WATER (thanks to Cachestacker!)
Go to N29 35.527 W095 04.870
How many pilings are used across the back of the building (only the last row closest to you)? What evidence do you see of the drowned stream?
E-mail me the answers to the following questions and do not post the answers in your logs.
Hours
- Wed. - Sat. 9am - 5pm
- Sun. 12pm - 5pm
- Last admission at 4:00pm
- Gates locked at 5:00pm.
- ABNC is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Fees
- 3 Years & under Free
- 4 - 12 Years $4.00
- 13 - 59 Years $6.00
- 60 Years & above $4.00
- College Students, Teachers, Active Duty Military, and First Responders $4 with I.D.
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Please do not leave the established trails. Mosquito repellent is advised. Bring water. Photos are very welcome as long as they do not give away the answers.
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