Size of lagoon (total area) 90 ha
Total area of watersheds and land that drain into lagoon 1,628 ha
Main creeks that flow into lagoon Colwood Creek, Bee Creek, Selleck Creek
Main physical features Estuary enclosed by barrier spit; dual tidal delta; restricted tidal flushing; sand dunes on outer spit.
Main biological features Eelgrass beds (15 ha); historic herring spawning; abundant shellfish; kelp at northern end; significant bird habitat and feeding grounds; salt marsh fringe; sand dune habitat; limited salmon spawning in Colwood Creek.
Main environmental concerns Seasonal algae blooms due to poor water quality and limited flushing of the lagoon; invasive species; human disturbance of wildlife in Federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary; shellfish harvesting closed due to fecal coliform, metals, aquatic nutrients contamination
Number of storm drains directly entering the lagoon 21
Total length of shoreline 5,013m
Amount of shoreline altered / hardened Hardening of shoreline only at the bridge abutments
Subtidal area 82 ha
Dominant subtidal substrate type Mud/sand (57%)
Other subtidal substrate types Mud (28%); gravel (9%); gravelly mud/sand (6%)

Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative

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