Christmas Bay (Texas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christmas Bay |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Christmas Bay
Location in Texas
Christmas Bay
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Texas Gulf Coast |
| Coordinates | 29°3′N 95°11′W / 29.050°N 95.183°W |
| Primary inflows | Bastrop Bayou |
| Ocean/sea sources | Gulf of Mexico |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 4,173 acres (1,689 ha) |
Christmas Bay is a cool, small bay found on the Texas Gulf Coast. It's located in Brazoria County, Texas, right next to West Bay. This bay is a type of estuary, which means it's a special place where fresh water from rivers mixes with salty ocean water. Christmas Bay gets its fresh water from Bastrop Bayou and other nearby streams.
The bay is separated from the big Gulf of Mexico by Follet's Island. It connects to the Gulf through two openings called San Luis Pass and Cold Pass. Christmas Bay also has smaller parts, like Bastrop Bay to the north and Drum Bay to the southwest. The closest city is Freeport, which is about 10 miles (16 km) away. Christmas Bay covers a large area of about 4,173 acres (1,689 hectares).
Contents
Discover Christmas Bay!
Christmas Bay is more than just a body of water. It's a lively estuary that plays a big role in the local environment. An estuary is like a nursery for many sea creatures. It's where rivers meet the sea, creating a mix of fresh and salt water. This unique environment helps many different plants and animals to grow and thrive.
Where is Christmas Bay Located?
Christmas Bay is on the beautiful Texas Gulf Coast. It's part of Brazoria County, Texas. You can find it just southwest of West Bay. The bay gets its water from Bastrop Bayou. It also collects water from the land around it.
How Christmas Bay Connects to the Ocean
A long piece of land called Follet's Island separates Christmas Bay from the Gulf of Mexico. But don't worry, the bay isn't completely closed off! It connects to the Gulf through two important channels. These are called San Luis Pass and Cold Pass. These connections allow water and marine life to move between the bay and the open ocean.
Smaller Parts of the Bay
Christmas Bay has a few smaller sections that branch off. To the north, you'll find Bastrop Bay. To the southwest, there's Drum Bay. These smaller areas are also important parts of the larger Christmas Bay system. The nearest big city to Christmas Bay is Freeport. It's about 10 miles (16 km) away, located at the mouth of the Brazos River.
Home for Wildlife
A big part of Christmas Bay's shoreline is protected. It's part of the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is a special place where animals can live safely. Protecting the shoreline helps keep the bay healthy. It provides a safe home for many birds, fish, and other creatures. This makes Christmas Bay a very important natural area.
