Explore the East End Lagoon! 

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Notable Resources for the Nature Trail!
Audubon Society : https://www.audubon.org/#

Donate to the East End Lagoon Nature Park and Preserve : http://www.eastendlagoon.org/support

Nature and Man at the East End Lagoon
"The oceans deserve our respect and care, but you have to know something before you can care about it" - Sylvia Earle

The East End Lagoon borders the Bolivar Roads, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Bolivar is protected by two jetties. The North Jetty connects to Bolivar Flats, while the South Jetty connects with East Beach. Here, nature and man coexist.

Bolivar Roads is the entrance to the Port of Galveston, Port of Texas City, and Port of Houston. The Port of Houston is one of the largest port complexes in the world and one of the busiest in the United States.

The jetties that protect Bolivar Roads also trap sand that flows southward along Galveston's coast. The Sediments captured by the North Jetty create Bolivar Flats, and sediment trapped by the South Jetty feeds into East Beach. As a result, the beaches and the flats in this area are expanding unlike much of the upper texas coast, which is eroding due to a sand deposit deficit.

As a result of accretion (growth), the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve is well protected from wave action by the extensive East End Beaches. Additionally, sand is continuously blowing into the preserve, adding sediments to the scattered pimple mounds. Even though the preserve abuts one of the busiest sea lanes in the U.S., nature continues to thrive at the East End Lagoon!

South (Galveston) Jetty
There are two jetties that protect the mouth of the Bolivar Roads; the North, or Bolivar Jetty, and the South, or Galveston Jetty. These jetties were completed in 1897. The South Jetty extends 2 miles into the Gulf, and helps protect the ship channel from being filled with sand and silt. These sediments are deposited at and around the base of the jetty, contributing a steady flow of sand to East Beach.

Galveston Seawall
You will reach the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve by driving, riding, skating, biking, or walking along the Galveston Seawall. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the Seawall after the 1900 storm, the deadliest  hurricane in U.S. History. With the extensions, the Seawall is now over 10 miles long and it continues to protect the city from devastating storms.

Fun at the Lagoon
The Lagoon is ideal for a variety of recreations. Birders and photographers enjoy the opportunity to walk along the nature trail. Anglers fish around the mouth of the Lagoon, and kayakers can paddle the calm waters along the entire length. Whatever your interest, take advantage of one of Galveston's most easily accessed natural areas!

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