Black Bayou facts for kids

Black Bayou is a river that flows for about 66.6-mile-long (107.2 km) (that's about 107 kilometers!). It starts in Texas and then makes its way into Louisiana. This river is like a smaller stream that feeds into a bigger one called Twelvemile Bayou. From there, the water travels to Cross Bayou, then to the mighty Red River, and finally joins the huge Mississippi River before heading out to the ocean!

Where Does Black Bayou Start and Flow?

Black Bayou begins its journey in Cass County, Texas. This is about 7 miles (11 kilometers) north of a town called Atlanta. From its starting point, the river flows south, passing by Atlanta. Then, it turns southeast and crosses into Caddo Parish, Louisiana.

Black Bayou's Path to Other Rivers

As Black Bayou continues its flow southeast, it eventually reaches the wide, flat area known as the Red River floodplain. Here, the river makes a curve, heading south and then southwest. It then meets up with the water flowing out of Caddo Lake. At this meeting point, a new river is formed, which is called Twelvemile Bayou.

How Much Water Flows in Black Bayou?

Near Gilliam, LA, scientists measure how much water flows in Black Bayou. On average, about 362 cubic feet of water pass by every second! That's like a small swimming pool's worth of water flowing by in just one second. This shows how much water the river carries on its journey.