December 31, 2007

  • Redfish Island,
    TX


    Redfish Island, TX


    Map of Redfish Island

    Once a popular boater anchorage, Galveston Bay’s Redfish
    Island has been submerged in recent years due to erosion and subsidence.

    The Port of Houston Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of
    Engineers     have restored part of the island. Using suggestions of the BUG, and
    after consultation with boating groups, oystermen and the Texas Department of Health,
    the restoration employed limestone to form a rock and breakwater in the shape
    of a hook to shelter boats. The island, featuring an oyster reef, functions as
    a bird and oyster habitat while maintaining calm water for a safe boater
    anchorage.

    Construction began in June of 2002 and was completed in
    October 2002.

    Redfish Island once again provides boaters an anchorage safe
    from ship wakes and prevailing winds and away from much of the commercial boat
    activity in the bay. Also, recreational boaters on the east side of the
    channel, who are not comfortable with converging into commercial traffic in
    Galveston Bay, are able to anchor at Redfish Island, avoid crossing the ship
    channel, and enjoy the bay more than they have for the past decade.


    Restoring Redfish Island October 2002


    Redfish Island Raftup 2005

    References:
    1. http://www.betterbay.org/html/islands_redfish.html