Bonilla Island, British Columbia facts for kids

Bonilla Island is a small piece of land located in the Hecate Strait. It's found west of Banks Island in British Columbia. This island is home to a lighthouse and some small forests.

Discovering Bonilla Island's Past

Bonilla Island probably got its name from a Spanish explorer named Jacinto Caamaño. He likely discovered the island and named it after a hill there.

Many years later, in 1912, people started planning to build a light to help ships. By 1927, a simple, unmanned light beacon was put in place.

As more ships started sailing through the area, a bigger light was needed. So, in 1957, a full lighthouse was built. They also added three homes for the lighthouse keepers and a fog horn to warn ships in bad weather.

Studying the Ocean at Bonilla Island

The lighthouse on Bonilla Island isn't just for guiding ships. It's also a special place for science! It's one of 12 lighthouses that are part of the British Columbia Shore Station Oceanographic Program.

Since 1960, scientists have been collecting important information here every single day. They measure the temperature of the ocean water. They also check its salinity, which tells them how much salt is in the water.

This information helps the Department of Fisheries and Oceans understand our coastal waters better. It's like taking the ocean's pulse to see how healthy it is!

Bonilla Island's Weather

Bonilla Island has a type of weather called an Oceanic climate. This means it's usually rainy and mild, not too hot or too cold. It gets a lot of rain throughout the year.