Buffalo Bayou Park Revegetation and Biostabilization

A native planting plan helps revegetate, stabilize, and enhance the natural infrastructure of 2.5 miles of river in Buffalo Bayou Park.

Following catastrophic disturbance by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership partnered with the Harris County Flood Control District to find bioengineering solutions to stabilize the banks of a 2.5-mile reach of Buffalo Bayou. As the key ecological contributor to the SWA Group team, Biohabitats analyzed the fluvial dynamics, geomorphology, and ecological function of the riparian zone and floodplain of the reach, categorized all restoration zones according to their lateral and longitudinal position, and recommended planting and construction approaches based on these geomorphic positions. Part of the challenge was designing restoration approaches on top of emergency restoration measures such as rip rap that was placed quickly after the hurricane.

The planting plan was exclusively native canopy, subcanopy, and herbaceous species and incorporated input from the Partnership’s conservation specialists. Buffalo Bayou extends a regional restoration corridor that includes the very large Houston Arboretum project that offered an excellent reference ecosystem and lessons learned with respect to soils, hydrology, and the local climate. With this local insight Biohabitats also recommended soil and invasive species treatment.

Native trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, wildflowers, and grasses were planted to improve bank stability, minimize erosion, and gradually replace existing turf grasses. Biohabitats also provided the Partnership with an adaptive management and monitoring plan.

TAGS

• Assessment+Monitoring
• Design
• Climate Adaptation + Resistance
• Ecological Restoration