The reefs under this bay are built by animals, like a coral reef, but out of eastern oysters cementing themselves to the shells of previous generations. They are the structural habitat of the bay — crabs, shrimp and small fish shelter in them, and a single adult oyster filters something like 50 gallons of water a day. Galveston Bay has been one of the largest oyster fisheries in the country, and the reefs have taken repeated hits from dredging, sediment dumped by Hurricane Ike in 2008, and the enormous freshwater pulse from Harvey in 2017.
Getting there
29.5200, -94.8800
Locations are approximate and may be inaccurate, on private land, or otherwise inaccessible. Check before you travel.
Hear it from the road
Whistlestop tells you this story automatically when you drive past. No searching, no tapping, nothing to ask.
