Stanley Park Lost Lagoon Wetland
Vancouver, British Columbia
2001
As part of the Lions Gate Bridge rehabilitation project, the Stanley Park Causeway drainage system has been upgraded to collect all pavement stormwater discharge and direct it to Lost Lagoon to be treated in an engineered wetland.
The primary function of the wetland is to allow soil and plant material to absorb fine particles, dissolved metals and nutrients in the stormwater before it flows into Lost Lagoon. The wetland has considerable side benefits in creation of terrestrial, aquatic and aviary habitats. Terraces, deep pools, and flow channels contribute to the diversity of plant and biotic life and increases the number of pollutants removed in the process.
The selection of plant material was restricted to native plants that are indigenous to riparian, high marsh and low marsh growing conditions. Every effort was made to recreate the natural character of a British Columbia marsh in this engineered urban wetland. A pedestrian walkway has been constructed around the wetland and features three timer boardwalk lookouts with interpretive signage that enhances the interpretive possibilities of the wetland and the stormwater treatment process.