Gordon Bay Provincial Park
IUCN Category II - National Park
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The Gordon Bay Provincial Park is a 51 hectare Provincial Park in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is located in the south of Vancouver Iceland about 35 kilometers north- west of Duncan. The park can be reached from Victoria well on Highway 1 and Highway 18 ( Cowichan Valley Highway). The park is located in the Cowichan Valley Regional District.
Plant
The Canadian standards for relatively small park is located in the southwest of Lake Cowichan at Honeymoon Bay. The valley is known as the sunniest place on Vancouver Iceland and is considered as the area with the highest annual average temperature in Canada. In the park is a protected area category II (National Park).
History
The park was built in 1969., Long before the area became part of a park, however, was the lake and its wooded surroundings already the traditional hunting and fishing territory of different strains of the Lake Cowichan First Nations. Due to its relatively easy accessibility, the area was one of the first major commercial logging areas on Vancouver Iceland.
Flora and Fauna
Within the ecosystem of British Columbia, the park area of the Coastal Western Hemlock zone is assigned. In the park area grow mainly West American hemlock, Douglas fir, coastal pines, Nootka false cypress and Sitka spruce, but grows in the Park and the Rocky Mountain juniper. The forest has an understory of sword ferns and heather plants. It grow there the Shallon bill berry, Oregon grape Ordinary, the Erlenblättrige Amelanchier, superb raspberries and the hedgehog force Wurz and the Canadian dogwood. Also to be found in the Park Pacific Dogwood blooms. This protected plant is also found in the coat of arms of British Columbia again.
The park and surrounding area are home to many small and large mammals, such as elk, black - tailed deer Columbia, raccoons and red squirrels. Also there is a colony of the endangered Vancouver marmots. In the hinterland but also live black bears and lontra. Especially abundant is the variety of birdlife. There live among other Juncos, Rotrückenmeisen, red-breasted merganser ducks and various birds. And the Steller, the national bird of British Columbia is to observe here.
Activities
Due to its sunny location of the lake in the population is very popular and serves as a recreational area. On the lake and water skiing and wind surfing is very popular addition to boating.
The lake is known for its spectacular freshwater fishing in the spring, autumn and winter. Anglers can then catch rainbow trout, Cutthroatforellen and Dolly Varden trout.
The park has 126 spaces for campers and tents and equipped with bathroom with shower.