Boundary Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boundary Bay |
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| French: Baie Frontière | |
Looking east across Boundary Bay from Tsawwassen
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 Boundary Bay
Location in British Columbia
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| Location | British Columbia and Washington |
| Coordinates | 49°00′N 122°55′W / 49.000°N 122.917°W |
| Type | Bay |
| Part of | Salish Sea |
| Basin countries | Canada and United States |
| Settlements | Blaine, Delta, Surrey, White Rock |
Boundary Bay is a large, shallow bay on the Pacific coast of North America. It sits right on the border between Canada and the United States. Specifically, it's between British Columbia in Canada and Washington state in the U.S. This bay is a special place for nature and people.
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Geography of Boundary Bay
Boundary Bay is surrounded by different areas. To the east, you'll find the city of Blaine in Washington. Also on the east are White Rock and Surrey in British Columbia. The Semiahmoo First Nation also has land there. To the north, the City of Delta borders the bay.
On the west side is the Tsawwassen Peninsula. This area includes Tsawwassen, a town near Delta. It also has Point Roberts, Washington, which is a small part of the U.S. that you can only reach by land through Canada. To the south, Boundary Bay connects to the Strait of Georgia. This strait is part of the larger Salish Sea.
Parts of the Bay
Some parts of Boundary Bay have special names. The eastern part, near White Rock and Blaine, is called Semiahmoo Bay. Blaine's Drayton Harbor opens into Semiahmoo Bay. The very northern tip of Boundary Bay is known as Mud Bay.
Rivers Flowing into the Bay
Several rivers flow into Boundary Bay. The Nicomekl and Serpentine Rivers flow into Mud Bay. The Campbell River flows into Semiahmoo Bay. California Creek and Dakota Creek flow into Drayton Harbor.
Wildlife and Nature
Boundary Bay is a very important place for birds. It's a major stop for birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway. This is like a superhighway in the sky for birds. Many western sandpipers and dunlins stop here.
The bay has huge mudflats, long beds of eel grass, and salt marshes. These areas are full of small marine animals. These animals are a vital food source for the migrating shorebirds. During migration times, more than 100,000 birds can be found in the bay!
Protecting the Bay
Because it's so important for birds, Boundary Bay has special protections. It's been named a Hemisphere Reserve by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. It's also a Canadian Important Bird Area. On June 21, 1995, the entire Canadian part of Boundary Bay became the Boundary Bay Wildlife Management Area. This helps protect the animals and their homes.
Activities at Boundary Bay
People also enjoy Boundary Bay for fun activities. It's a popular spot for recreational boating. There are also park areas and beaches where people can relax and play.
The Boundary Bay Airport is located on the north side of the bay. This airport is used by small aircraft. It has also been used as a setting for various movies and TV shows!
