kids encyclopedia robot

Condado Lagoon facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Condado Lagoon
Vista Condado-Miramar.jpg
Aerial view of Condado Lagoon
Location Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Governing body Department of Natural Resources

Condado Lagoon (Spanish: Laguna del Condado) is a beautiful body of water in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It flows freely between the Condado and Miramar neighborhoods of Santurce. Santurce is a part of San Juan.

What is Condado Lagoon?

The water in Condado Lagoon is part of the San Juan Bay Estuary. An estuary is a special coastal area. Here, fresh water from rivers mixes with salty water from the ocean. This creates a unique environment.

The San Juan area has several estuaries. These include Condado Lagoon, Martín Peña Channel, San José Lagoon, and Piñones Lagoon. The Cucharillas Marsh is also part of this important natural system.

Condado Lagoon connects to the Atlantic Ocean. It flows out through a narrow opening called El Boquerón. The Dos Hermanos Bridge crosses over this opening. This lagoon is one of only two natural lagoons in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico, Bahía de San Juan; San Juan Bay, 1992 (LOC)
San Juan Bay and Condado Lagoon in 1992

Lagoon Facts

Condado Lagoon is a good size for exploring. Here are some facts about it:

  • Area: It covers about 98.91 acres (400,300 square meters).
  • Average depth: The water is usually about 10 feet (3 meters) deep.
  • Maximum depth: In some spots, it can be as deep as 36 feet (11 meters).
  • Salinity: The water is quite salty, with a salt level of 30% to 35%.
Condado Lagoon in San Juan, Puerto Rico
A park on the shore of the lagoon

Animals that Live Here

Condado Lagoon is home to several important animals. Some of these are endangered, meaning they are at risk of disappearing.

  • Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis): These large birds are known for their big pouches under their beaks. They use them to catch fish.
  • Magnificent frigatebird (Fregatta magnificens): These birds have long wings and tails. They often soar high in the sky.
  • Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus): These gentle giants are large, slow-moving marine mammals. They are sometimes called "sea cows."

Nearby Beach

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Laguna del Condado para niños

kids search engine
Condado Lagoon Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.