2010 Map of Saint Charles Bay SW

About this map

San Jose Island and the shallow reaches of Arkansas Bay dominate this coastal landscape, illustrating the complex estuarine environment of the Texas Gulf Coast. The transition from the open Gulf of Mexico across the barrier island leads into a network of marshy passages like Vinson Slough and sheltered waters such as Spalding Bight. This 2010 survey highlights a shoreline defined more by shifting oyster reefs and low-lying points than by human infrastructure. Notable landmarks include the named reefs that segment the bay, such as Long Reef and Mack Reef, which have long influenced local navigation and fishing. The proximity of the Blackjack Peninsula and several isolated landmasses like Deadman Island and Big Island suggests a dynamic coastal geomorphology shaped by tidal action and storm surges.