Esquimalt Lagoon - History
Geology of Esquimalt Lagoon
The Fraser Glaciation was a glacial period that lasted from about 29,000 to 10,000 years ago. Toward the end of this period, about 13,000 years ago, streams from the retreating glaciers deposited sediment (sand, gravel and rock), and formed the Colwood Delta (see diagram below). This sediment has been mined since the early 1900s in the Metchosin gravel pit. A large chunk of ice about 100 m thick became isolated from the main ice sheets and remained in Esquimalt Lagoon. The sediment forming the Colwood Delta was consequently deposited on either side of the ice chunk.
Colwood Delta (used with permission, from Yorath and Nasmith, 1995) 1
Coburg Peninsula (technically a barrier spit , not a peninsula ) was formed as sand was eroded from the Colwood Delta deposits to the south, transported northeast by longshore currents , and deposited in front of the ice block. Longshore currents are created by waves that contact the shoreline on an angle and flow parallel to the shore (see coastal sediment processes).
After the ice completely melted a depression was left behind, and the rising sea level flooded the area that was to later become Esquimalt Lagoon. Longshore currents continued to build and stabilize the spit (Coburg Peninsula). Studies have indicated that before gravel mining operations began in the area to the south, in the 1900s, coarser sediment (i.e. gravel) probably predominated on the spit. Over the years, fine sediment that was spilled at the gravel loading docks has been transported to the north, resulting in a sandy beach along the spit.
Currently, a development of 2,800 housing units is planned for the site of the gravel pit, which will be decommissioned. This is expected to change the sediment regime of nearby shorelines, and result in a return to coarser, narrow beaches. Although this is the natural historical condition of the shoreline, the change will have impacts on the ecology of Esquimalt Lagoon.
Historical Uses
Archaeological sites around Esquimalt Lagoon and Coburg Peninsula indicate that the region has been used by First Nations for thousands of years. Prior to European contact, the intertidal clam beds at the entrance to the lagoon were extensively harvested by ancestors of the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations. Albert Head, to the south of Esquimalt Lagoon, was inhabited by the Stsanges people, a subgroup of the Songhees.
In the 1800s, Coburg Peninsula was used as a rifle range. In 1863, a sawmill was built at the mouth of Colwood Creek. It was replaced in 1871 by a tannery. In 1902, James Dunsmuir, a politician and coal baron, purchased a large portion of land to the west of the lagoon, and built a castle and gardens, known as Hatley Park. In 1940, 20 years after the death of Dunsmuir, the federal government bought the land and a Naval Training Establishment was developed on the site. In 1942, the establishment became a Naval College, and eventually became known as Royal Roads Military College. The military continued to use Coburg Peninsula as a rifle range, and a degaussing station was also built on the spit. In 1994, the military college closed, but in 1995, Royal Roads University was established, and still exists today.
Some of the historical activities that had known or possible environmental impacts on Esquimalt Lagoon include: logging; construction of various shoreline structures; dumping of waste; military training exercises; ornamental gardens, which introduced invasive species; residential land use with its associated pollution; and human activities that spread other invasive species such as Scotch Broom.
Modern Uses
A road, Ocean Boulevard, traverses Coburg Peninsula, and is extensively used by residents for commuting, recreation and as an emergency route.
Coburg Peninsula is a popular recreation destination for residents and visitors. People enjoy activities such as walking, exercising their dogs, picnicking, wildlife viewing and sun bathing along the sand spit. The lagoon is used by kayakers and by Royal Roads University for rowing practice. A boathouse and wharf is maintained by the university. Although much of the shoreline is still relatively natural, numerous residential properties back onto the lagoon, resulting in some modification of the shoreline habitat.
A federally designated Migratory Bird Sanctuary encompasses the lagoon and adjacent lands within 100 metres of the high water mark. This sanctuary is managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service.