About

Authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of June 20, 1938, and modified by the FloodControl Acts of August 11, 1939; September 3, 1954; and October 27, 1965, Addicks and Barker Reservoirs is a flood damage reduction project in the Galveston District. Addicks and Barker Reservoirs prevent downstream flooding of Buffalo Bayou in the City of Houston. The construction cost of over $4 million appears small when compared to the giant saving which have resulted. Since its completion in 1945, the project has prevented flood damages estimated to be in excess of $16,372,000.00 million.

Reservoir Information

Vicinity Map

Recreation

Wildlife

Recreation opportunities and experiences are numerous throughout both Addicks and Barker Reservoirs. Visitors are welcome to come and enjoy the diverse wildlife, the lush woods, nature studies, and photography. A large portion of the reservoir lands are undeveloped and sustain a diverse ecosystem and biodiversity. Diverse wildlife is abundant, and walks through the reservoirs uncover many of the interesting, fascinating, and amusing sides of Mother Nature. Three major wildlife environments, open land, woodland, and wetland, can be found in the reservoirs. Quails, doves, rabbits, and a large variety of songbirds can be seen on almost any day of the year in our open land habitat. The wary observer may catch a glimpse of the many varieties of woodpeckers, a raccoon, or even a white-tailed deer in the woodland habitat. Plus, it is not unusual to see a large variety of ducks in the wetland habitat. Many types of reptiles and amphibians are present, as well as many colorful wildflowers to light up your day. Just remember, if you are going to shoot the wildlife, please do so with a camera! Possession of firearms and hunting is prohibited in both Addicks and Barker Reservoirs.

Parks

The City of Houston, Harris County Precinct 3, and Fort Bend County operate day time recreational facilities within Addicks and Barker reservoirs. All facilities are open to the public, unless noted. No reservations are necessary, but the group shelters located in Bear Creek and Cullen Park do require reservations. For information on specific park information, contact the appropriate operating agency listed above.

Trails

All of our trails are a big hit at Addicks and Barker reservoirs. There are many miles of scenic trails that provide unlimited opportunities for walking-hiking based recreation.

Dogs

Our newest park addition, and a huge success, is the Millie Bush Bark Park located in Barker reservoir, George Bush Park. The doggies and their owners love this area. Coming soon, in Addicks reservoir, Bear Creek Park is a new doggie park for the canine crowd.

Fishing

This great outdoor activity lures city folk to the reservoir waters. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy a relaxing moment on the banks of Buffalo Bayou.

Picknicking

America’s favorite pastime is well liked at Addicks and Barker reservoirs. Picnic areas are maintained at the various park facilities and provide tables and a few charcoal grills, at choice locations, for the public. In addition, picnic shelters are provided with picnic tables and grills at Bear Creek, George Bush, and Cullen parks.

Community Outreach

The Addicks Project Office supports the Greater Houston/Galveston community in many ways. This includes, but is not limited to the following types of activities:

• Public events
• Speaker requests
• Partnering programs and projects

To learn more about these activities visit the Addicks Project Office or call (281) 497-0740 and ask for the Outreach Coordinator.

Federal Recreation Fees

In January 2007, a new federal Fee Demonstration Program called “America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass” will replace the Golden Eagle passport and the two lifetime passes, the Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and the Golden Access Passports as well as the National Parks Pass. The new passes cover recreation opportunities on public lands managed by four Departments of the Interior agencies – the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Reclamation, and by the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service. All participating agencies will sell the new “America the Beautiful” recreation passes at sites that charge entrance and standard amenity fees. Existing passes will remain valid until expired, lost or stolen.

What are the passes for the “American the Beautiful” program? The program has four different passes in the new interagency program:

• An annual interagency pass costing $80--For visitors to multiple federal sites, the pass offers unlimited coverage of entrance and standard amenity recreation fees for a specific period of time, typically a year, beginning from the date of first use.
• A $10 lifetime senior pass for U.S. citizens 62 or over;
• A free lifetime access pass for citizens with permanent disabilities ; and
• A new, free annual volunteer pass for volunteers acquiring 500 hours of service on a cumulative basis

What does this mean for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers? Headquarters is reviewing the new America the Beautiful program and considering various alternatives. All Corps offices across the nation are discontinuing sales of the Golden Age and Golden Access passports. Until a decision is made, the existing Golden Age and Access passes will remain valid until expired, lost or stolen. Simply call the Addicks Project Office with any additional questions regarding new or old recreational passes.

For more information, please contact the DOI’s U.S. Geological Survey at http://store.usgs.gov/pass or phone 1-888-275-8747 (option 1). The annual pass will be available for sale through the USGS store and through the government’s federal lands recreation web portal (www.recreation.gov) in January 2007. Also, see a public new release at the following internet site: http://www.doi.gov/news/06_News_Releases/061205.html.

Park Facilities & Activites Offered

If our visitors are looking for a more developed recreation facility, Bear Creek Park, located in Addicks Reservoir and operated by Harris County Precinct 3, is the place to go. It is a complex, heavily wooded park blessed with a wealth of recreational facilities such as a 54-hole golf course, tennis courts, soccer, rugby, and ball fields, and picnicking areas. Also located in Bear Creek Park is the Houston Farm and Ranch Club center, the Texas A&M Agricultural Extension center, and the Bear Creek Community center. Park office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for holidays.

Harris County Precinct 3 also operates and maintains the George Bush Park located in Barker Reservoir. Other developed facilities located in Barker Reservoir include the American Shooting Range, a model airport, soccer and baseball fields, horse riding trails, and the Millie Bush Bark Park for doggies. For more information on Bear Creek Park or the George Bush Park, call (281-496-2177) or write to Harris County Precinct 3, Bear Creek Park, 15115 Clay Road, Houston, TX 77084.

All facilities are open to the public unless noted. No reservations necessary. (Group shelters may require reservations.)

* Facilities are operated by a concessionaire. A fee or membership may be required.

# Facilities are operated by a 3rd party agreement. Special permission is required by the operating agency indicated.

Park Contact Information

Leasing

Grazing leases are made available to the public by the Galveston District Real Estate Office. This type of lease is for cattle and horses only. Land parcels are leased under a temporary 5 year contract. The bidding process takes place, at the Addicks Project Office, on a yearly basis in October. The Grazing Lease Questions and Answers (Q&A) provides additional information. For further details on the leasing activity in Addicks and Barker reservoirs, please contact the Galveston District Real Estate Office at 409-766-3144.