Bayous are commonly found in low-lying areas near the ocean. The word 'bayou' comes from a Native American word 'bayuk', which means 'small stream'. They are slow moving bodies of water, such as streams, rivers, or lakes and are often linked with swamplands. Bayous are formed because of their proximity to the coastline. High tides or heavy rainfall cause a back flow of ocean waters into rivers and streams. For that reason, they tend to have brackish water. Bayous are important because they act as a natural barrier protecting inland areas from heavy flooding. Bayous are known to be home to all kinds of plant life and wildlife. They are generally very wooded areas and are filled with crawfish, prawns, cranes, and alligators. Many famous bayous are in south eastern United States mostly in Florida, Louisiana ,Mississippi and Texas. The longest bayou in the world is called Bayou Bartholomew and it is 586 km long.
|
Worksheets
Choose 1 Worksheet
Choose 1 Worksheet