 Houston, often popularly referred to as the "Bayou City", is crossed by a number of slow-moving, swampy rivers, which are essential to draining the region's broad floodplains.The city was founded at the convergence of Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou, a point today known as Allen's Landing.Buffalo Bayou is the longest and largest of the bayous which flow through Houston, following a  route from Katy through Memorial, Rice Military, Downtown, the East End, Denver Harbor, and Channelview before meeting the San Jacinto River at Galveston Bay.