How did Lost Lagoon get its name?
Pauline Johnson, a Metis woman, whose father was a First Nations chief in the East and whose mother was an English noblewoman, was very fond of the area that was then called Coal Basin. She enjoyed canoeing and always missed the Basin as it "disappeared" with low tide. She wrote a poem about it (partly quoted in the Explorer, and along the Nature House wall) and dubbed it "Lost Lagoon."
How far is it around the Lagoon?
1.79 km or 1.1 miles.
How deep is Lost Lagoon?
The water is approximately 4 feet deep (11 feet at its deepest).
Can I fish in Lost Lagoon?
Fishing, swimming and boating are not permitted on the lagoon.
Was there ever fishing here?
The Lagoon was stocked with fish and fishing was permitted in 1929. The building that is now the Nature House used to be the boathouse and one could rent boats up until 1972.
Why is the Lagoon green?
Natural algal blooms occur in the summer due to the high amount of bird faeces. The faeces provide nutrients for algae to grow.
What is the Storm Water Management Facility (biofiltration wetland)?
Prior to the construction of the wetland, all of the runoff from the Causeway was flowing untreated into Lost Lagoon, compromising the quality of the water. With the wetland functioning, all water from the North side of the Park is channeled down to the wetland and treated before entering the Lagoon.
There is a three-step process to treating the water. It first runs into a sedimentation fore bay, where the heaviest grit, gravel and other stuff will sink to the bottom. In the second step, water moves through the marsh terraces, where all of the plants are. The plants and the slow moving water allow more of the pollutants to settle. The pollutants are filtered and absorbed by the soil and plants in the marsh. The third step consists of deep pools and channels, which contribute to the diversity of plant and animal life, increase the plant/water surface edge length, and are aesthetic features to enhance the natural look of the wetland.
In the long run, say 100 years, it may be necessary to till and replant as the plants functions may be depleted. This method, the scientific and engineering knowledge, is the best available. It has also been proven in many areas around the world, including Hastings Park and Fraserview Golf Course.
When did Lost Lagoon Fountain get installed?
The Lost Lagoon fountain was installed in July 1936 as part of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations that marked the 50th anniversary of the city.
Where does water in the Lagoon come from?
What kind of waterfowl are there on Lost Lagoon?
Year round residents include the mute swans, mallards, Canada geese, and wood ducks. The Lagoon and English Bay are also a favourite winter home for a wide variety of migratory waterfowl: goldeneyes, scaup, widgeon, merganser, canvasback, bufflehead, teal, and northern pintail.
What are the small black "ducks" with the white bills and distinctive bobbing movement as they swim?
These are American coots (Fulica americana), and are actually NOT ducks. They belong to the rail family, which include cranes and herons. On land, you can see that they have "chicken feet" instead of webbed feet.
What is the planted area on the side of the Lagoon opposite Nature House?
This is a bio-filtration area which was constructed in 2001. In consists of a series of ponds with plants and sediments which remove pollutants and toxins from run-off water before it enters the lagoon.