Bodies of water in Vancouver
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada is home to several bodies of water within and around its boundaries.
Of over 30 historically salmon-bearing streams diverted into underground culverts due to urbanization, several have been restored to a state visible and habitable again by plants and wildlife.[1]
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[edit] Spanish Bank Creek
Spanish Bank Creek flows north through Pacific Spirit Regional Park near U.B.C. It terminates at the beach under the Spanish Bank cliffs on Northwest Marine Drive. Urban development rendered the creek impassable to adult fish for many decades but the creek has been restored and, since 2001, Coho salmon have been returning there to spawn.
[edit] Musqueam Creek
Musqueam Creek, and its tributary Cutthroat Creek, begin in Pacific Spirit Regional Park and flow south through the Musqueam Reserve in the Southlands neighbourhood of Vancouver, where they meet before entering the Fraser River estuary. The creeks are protected by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Musqueam Creek is in the process of restoration by the Musqueam Band, and Coho and Chum salmon have returned to this creek in small amounts.
[edit] Still Creek
Still Creek is a 17 km long creek that begins in Vancouver, crosses into Burnaby, and terminates in Burnaby Lake. In Vancouver, the Still Creek watershed is bounded by 1st Avenue, 49th Avenue, Nanaimo Street, and Boundary Road. Portions of the creek are visible and the City of Vancouver is working to uncover (or "daylight") more of the creek; however, most of the Vancouver section still lies underground, directed by culverts and storm sewers.
[edit] Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek begins at Beaver Lake and terminates in the ocean, under a bridge at the intersection of Pipeline Road and Stanley Park Drive.
[edit] Beaver Lake
Beaver Lake is a lake in the interior of Stanley Park, surrounded by walking trails and home to many acquatic birds. This lake is being reclaimed by the forest because of the water lilies that have been added. The lily pads reduce the amount of oxygen in the water, which has slowed the lake's ability to decompose organic material. Due to this, the lake is slowly becomeing a swamp.
[edit] Lost Lagoon
Lost Lagoon is an artificial, captive 17-hectare body of water, west of Georgia Street, near the entrance to Stanley Park. It was created in 1916 due to construction of the Stanley Park causeway. It is a nesting ground to many species of bird, including swan, Canada geese, and great blue heron. East of Lost Lagoon, across Georgia Street, is Coal Harbour, an extension of Burrard Inlet. The lagoon is now landlocked but used to be connected to the inlet, resulting in significant tidal changes along its gradual shores. While rare in recent decades, Lost Lagoon can freeze during a cold spell, permitting public ice skating and ice hockey. The lagoon was named by poet Pauline Johnson who liked to go canoeing on the tidal lagoon and one day discovered that it was no longer there due to a low tide.
A large fountain called Jubilee Fountain graces the northeast end of the lagoon, spraying water in the air which can be seen for many blocks. Designed by Lennox McKenzie (b.1900), it was installed in 1936 as part of celebrations of Vancouver's 50th anniversary and restored for Expo in 1986. According to Chuck Davis' The Greater Vancouver Book, the fountain was purchased at the cost of $35,000 during the Great Depression from Chicago after that city's Century of Progress World's Fair closed in 1934. At the time, it was considered a frivolous and unsightly extravagance, especially during an economic crisis, and was dubbed "McGeer's Folly" after the mayor.[1]
[edit] Trout Lake
Trout Lake is a popular swimming location and nesting ground to many species of bird. In the late 1800s, Trout Lake was a peat bog that supplied water to Hastings Mill. There are no trout in the lake as it was named after the mill owner. Adjacent to the lake is a community centre, playground, ice rink, and a summer farmers' market. It is located at East 15th Avenue and Victoria Drive in East Vancouver's John Hendry Park.
[edit] False Creek
False Creek is an inlet to the east of English Bay between Downtown and Fairview slopes.
[edit] Boundary waters
[edit] References
- ^ Steele, Mike (1993). Vancouver's Famous Stanley Park: The Year-Round Playground. Vancouver: Heritage House. ISBN 1-895811-00-7.
[edit] External links
- Spanish Bank Creek case study at Pacific Streamkeepers Foundation
- Spanish Banks Creek at urbanstreams.org
- Spanish Banks Creek at GVRD
- Musqueam Creek
- Wild, Threatened, Endangered and Lost Streams of the Lower Fraser Valley, a Fisheries and Oceans Canada publication
- Still Creek information page
- Lost Lagoon Photo Gallery
- Trout Lake
- Map of Beaver Lake and its surrounding trails
