Buena Vista Lagoon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buena Vista Lagoon |
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A marker at Buena Vista Lagoon
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 Buena Vista Lagoon
Location in California
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| Location | San Diego County, California |
| Coordinates | 33°10′11″N 117°21′11″W / 33.1696660°N 117.3531612°W |
| Type | Inlet |
| Primary outflows | Pacific Ocean |
| Surface area | 223 acres (90 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
| Settlements | Carlsbad Oceanside |
Buena Vista Lagoon is a special freshwater lagoon located right next to the Pacific Ocean. You can find it in the South Coast part of Southern California, specifically in North County, San Diego County.
This amazing lagoon covers 223 acres of wetland habitat. It acts like a natural border between the cities of Carlsbad and Oceanside. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife helps manage and protect Buena Vista Lagoon. It's also home to the Buena Vista Audubon Society Nature Center and was California's very first Ecological Reserve. Two non-profit groups, the Buena Vista Audubon Society and the Buena Vista Lagoon Foundation, work hard to keep this lagoon healthy.
Contents
Animals and Plants of the Lagoon
Buena Vista Lagoon is a lively home for many different creatures. You can find at least 103 types of birds, 18 kinds of mammals, and 14 different amphibians and reptiles here.
A Stop for Migrating Birds
This lagoon is a super important wetland. It's a valuable resting and feeding spot for many bird species. These birds stop here during their long journeys in the fall months.
The Mystery of the Flamingos
Back in the 1970s, something unusual happened. A group of pink flamingos was seen living at the lagoon! Locals thought these beautiful birds might have escaped from the San Diego Zoo. However, the Zoo always said that none of their flamingos were missing. It remains a fun mystery about how those flamingos ended up at Buena Vista Lagoon!
The Weir and Water Flow
Close to the ocean, about 100 yards away, there's a special wall called a weir. This weir helps control the water. Depending on the time of year and how much rain falls, water from the lagoon might flow out into the Pacific Ocean.
Freshwater or Saltwater?
For a while, people have been talking about the future of Buena Vista Lagoon. One big discussion is whether to keep it as a freshwater lagoon or open it up to the ocean. If it were opened, saltwater from the ocean would mix in, much like what happens at the nearby Agua Hedionda Lagoon. As of early 2018, no final decisions have been made to change the lagoon's water type.
