Westchester Lagoon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Westchester Lagoon |
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Westchester Lagoon in the evening, seen looking west
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 Westchester Lagoon
Location in Alaska
Westchester Lagoon
Location in North America
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| Location | Anchorage, Alaska, United States |
| Coordinates | 61°12′20″N 149°55′06″W / 61.2055427°N 149.9183872°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Chester Creek watershed |
| Primary outflows | Cook Inlet |
| Islands | 2 |
The Westchester Lagoon is a beautiful place in Anchorage, Alaska. It's made of two lakes that people built. These lakes form a coastal lagoon, which is a shallow body of water connected to the sea.
On the western side of the lagoon, there's a raised dirt wall called a levee. This levee is used by the Alaska Railroad. It separates the lagoon from Cook Inlet's Knik Arm. A large pipe, called a culvert, lets salmon swim from Cook Inlet into the lagoon. They use the water flowing out from Chester Creek to swim upstream and lay their eggs.
The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail goes past the lagoon. It then turns east, passing the Bootleggers Cove neighborhood. The trail continues further into Anchorage. The eastern edge of the lagoon is Spenard Road. To the south are homes, Hillcrest Drive, and West Anchorage High School. Minnesota Drive cuts through the middle, making two separate lakes.
The lagoon, along with its islands and parks, is part of Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park. Since 1975, the Municipality of Anchorage has made this park a special place for birds. It is known as a waterfowl sanctuary.
History of Westchester Lagoon
In the early 1960s, the city of Anchorage started planning to protect the Chester Creek watershed. This is a system of creeks that carry rain and melted snow from the nearby Chugach Mountains. The city included this area in a plan to improve the city in 1963.
The railroad levee was built in 1968. Later, in 1974, the city bought more land around the lagoon. In 1975, the area became a bird sanctuary. Three islands were also built by people that year. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Audubon Society planted native grasses in the area.
In 1976, the city began plans to bring back the natural environment of the area. This work was finished in 1977. In 1978, the lagoon was drained so workers could remove one of the three islands. In 1979, some vandals opened the locks on the levee, which drained the lagoon. The city then put in a stronger and safer system.
On September 30, 1993, the lagoon and the park around it were renamed Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park. It was named after the late wife of former Anchorage Mayor George M. Sullivan.
Fun Activities at the Lagoon
Westchester Lagoon is a popular spot for fun activities. It is also a bird sanctuary and part of the local trail system.
When winter comes and the lagoon freezes, it becomes a big ice skating rink. The city takes care of the ice to keep it smooth. There is also a disc golf course that goes through the lagoon area. During the summer, you can even find a snack bar operating there.
Images for kids
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A greater scaup swimming in Westchester Lagoon
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The Anchorage skyline, seen looking north from Westchester Lagoon
