East Matagorda Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Matagorda Bay |
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Carancahua Bay (yellow), Chocolate Bay (brown), East Matagorda Bay (red), Keller Bay (lime), Lavaca Bay (orange), Matagorda Bay (purple), Tres Palacios Bay (magenta), Turtle Bay (olive)
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 East Matagorda Bay
Location in Texas
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| Location | Texas Gulf Coast |
| Coordinates | 28°43′N 95°49′W / 28.717°N 95.817°W |
| Ocean/sea sources | Gulf of Mexico |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 37,810 acres (15,300 ha) |
East Matagorda Bay is a large bay located on the Texas Gulf Coast. It's found in Matagorda County. This bay is like a big pool of water that is partly closed off from the Gulf of Mexico. It's surrounded by the Matagorda Peninsula and flat areas where the Colorado River meets the sea.
East Matagorda Bay is a type of estuary. An estuary is a place where fresh water from rivers mixes with salty ocean water. This creates a special environment. However, this bay doesn't get much water from big rivers. It mainly gets water from rain and runoff from the land nearby. Its only real connection to the Gulf of Mexico is through a channel called Brown Cedar Cut.
This bay is part of the larger Matagorda Bay system. This system is the third biggest group of estuaries in Texas. In 1942, a very strong hurricane hit the area. This storm caused a lot of damage to East Matagorda Bay.
Contents
Amazing Animals of the Bay
East Matagorda Bay is home to many different kinds of fish and other animals. You can find both freshwater and saltwater species here.
Freshwater Fish
Some fish that prefer fresh water live in parts of the bay where the water is less salty. These include black bass, temperate bass, and different types of catfish. You might also spot crappie, redbreast sunfish, carp, and minnows. Larger fish like gar and buffalo fish also swim in these waters.
Saltwater Fish
Many marine fish live in the bay, especially closer to the Gulf of Mexico or in shallow areas. Common saltwater fish include Catfish, Atlantic Croaker, and southern flounder. You can also find pinfish, mullet, and eels. Other popular species are drum and sea trout.
Bigger, more exciting fish also visit the bay's waters. These include tarpon, amberjack, and pompano. You might even see a common snook, jack crevalle, or an Tripletail. Cobia and different kinds of snapper are also found here.
Other Bay Creatures
Besides fish, many other animals live in East Matagorda Bay. The Eastern Brown Pelican is often seen flying overhead or diving for fish. Various types of Crabs scuttle along the bottom. The American Alligator also lives in the bay's waters and nearby marshlands. Different species of turtles also make their home in the bay.
Plants and Habitats
East Matagorda Bay has many different plants. These plants grow in the coastal wetlands or on the dry land nearby. The bay area is mostly a coastal marshland. This means there are not many trees growing directly in the bay.
Water Plants
Under the salty water, you can find special grasses. These include shoal grass, widgeon grass, and turtle grass. These grasses are important for many marine animals. They provide food and shelter.
Land Plants
On the mainland near the bay, many different plants thrive. You might see the common sunflower and various rose species. Milkweed plants are also common. Many types of ferns grow in the area. You can also find young maple trees and many other kinds of flowers and tall grasses.
Closer to the coast, plants have to be tough to grow in salty soil. Some common plants in this area include Panicgrass and ryegrass. Gulf coast Yucca plants and cutgrass are also often seen. These plants help to hold the soil in place and provide homes for small animals.
