Boundary Bay

Facts about Boundary Bay

Boundary Bay is located on the Pacific coast of North America, 30 minutes south of Vancouver, British Columbia, and two hours north of Seattle, Washington.
Communities within the Boundary Bay watershed include the City of Surrey, City of White Rock, Corporation of Delta, and Township of Langley on the Canadian side; and Blaine, Birch Bay and Point Roberts on the American side.
Boundary Bay’s waters span over 250 square kilometres and support a rich and diverse ecosystem made up of four major habitat zones: estuaries, intertidal mudflats, eel grass beds and salt marshes.
The estuaries of tidal rivers and creeks in Boundary Bay provide a rich habitat for wildlife
It is the top rated Important Bird Area in Canada
It supports 22 species of raptors- Canada’s largest winter population
Boundary Bay is a major stop along the Pacific Flyway
As the region’s population has grown, these waters have experienced varying degrees of environmental degradation due to urbanization, failing septic systems, insensitive land use practices and storm water run-off from settled areas.

Kelp Crab	Cockle Clam
Dungeness Crab	Sea Star

The Pacific Flyway

Is the route along the west coast of North and South America along which birds travel in annual north-south migration
Boundary Bay is a globally significant site for migratory and wintering birds acting as a major stop along the Pacific Flyway and a major component of the Fraser River Estuary Important Bird Area (Bird Studies Canada 2002).
Each spring and fall, more than 250,000 birds pass through the area
Boundary Bay is a major stop for 50 species of shore birds on this migration
Birds stop here to rest and feed before flying thousands of kilometres to the next stop.

Dowitchers

What’s wrong with Boundary Bay?

Boundary Bay has been closed to shellfish harvest since 1962 due to fecal coliform contamination
There are many potential sources of fecal coliform contamination
Fecal coliforms in the waters of Boundary Bay have been found to originate largely from the Little Campbell River and storm outfalls from developed areas
Other sources include agricultural practices such as uncovered manure piles, faulty on-site septic systems, urban runoff, marinas, boaters and fish processing


Eelgrass Oysters	Habgood Outfall

What can you do to help Boundary Bay?

If you live on agricultural land, do not allow run-off from your farm enter waterways. Cover manure piles, do not allow animals into creeks or streams
If you have a septic system, ensure that it is properly maintained
Properly dispose of boat waste
Do not pour anything down a storm drain
Properly dispose of pet waste
Educate yourself about the issues concerning pollution in Boundary Bay
Get involved with a local conservation group

For More Information

See Anne Murray’s book “A Nature Guide to Boundary Bay”. Which provides a comprehensive look at the birds, animals and plants of Boundary Bay and the Fraser River estuary.

You can visit Anne's website at www.natureguidesbc.com for information on purchasing a copy of A Nature Guide to Boundary Bay.

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