Inlet park at rocky point - Mud flats
In 2002 the city of Port Moody took over protecting the tidal mud flats from the Vancouver port authority. These tidal flats join Rocky Point Park , Inlet Park and Orchard Park into one big area park. Each park has differences but they all meld together wonderfully. These tidal flats are an environmentally sensitive area and are home to several species of marine creatures, birds, animals and fish. The are many important salmon streams that flow into the inlet and the tidal flats.
The walk around the inlet is 6 km round trip and is an easy walk with minimal elevation changes. The trails for the most part are level gravel, hard surfaces and a board walk. Some areas are hard packed ground with tree roots running across the trail. A wheel chair or scooter will not be able to go all around the area but can still enjoy the majority of the park and what it has to offer. Oh, for all you geodogs, you are more than welcome if you are attached to your owner while walking in this park.
NOTE: The mud flats are extremely dangerous to walk on as they react like quicksand and you WILL get stuck. The City of Port Moody fire department has been called to get people out of the flats and it can take a couple of hours to be extracted. There are many warning signs up - Please take them seriously.
What are intertidal mud flats?
Mudflats refer to land near a body of water that is regularly flooded by tides (usually twice a day) and is usually barren. Intertidal mud flats can be defined as shallow sloped shoreline, with expanses of fine sediment. They are often components of estuaries, and are revealed when the tide goes out. Despite their empty appearance, tidal mud flats are a valuable habitat, as they are feeding grounds for many species of wildlife.
How do intertidal mud flats form?
Mud flats are created when sediment, carried by rivers or the ocean encounter a low energy environment and settle to the bottom. Inlets that are sheltered from waves are one example. Over time the sediment accumulates which encourages further sediment deposits.
What lives in the mud flats?
Mudflats contain important ecosystems. They attract a large number of migratory birds, as well as house a numbers of different species of crabs, fish and mollusks. The environment of the mudflats is full of rich nutrients which these species feed on due to the anoxic conditions below the surface.
Why are mudflats important and why should we be protect them?
* migratory birds feed on the many available nutrients
* shell fish live in the intertidal mudflats
* bacteria in the mudflats that help breakdown contaminants from rainwater run off
* important part of the ecosystem food chain
Now that you have been enjoying a walk within the park, have a seat on the boardwalk and take in the sights and sounds. To log this cache please answer the following questions and send your answers to me. As always, please do not post your answers in your log.
1. At the time of your visit, describe what you saw -- If you are there at high tide, how close did it come to the boardwalk? What was the wave action, what was the wave action like? IF the tide was out describe the look of the mudflats -- what was the consistency? Did you see anything in the mud flats -- sand, rocks or any other debris?
2. While you walk around on the boardwalk what do you observe on the mudflats edges. What features are on there?
3. How many different ways can you observe that are adding to mud flats? What do you think will eventually happen with the mud flats in this area if man does not intercede or if man does intercede?
Http://www.crd.bc.ca/education/our-environment/ecosystem/coastal-marine/intertidal-mud-flats
Http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-a-mudflat-wh-are-mudflats-important.html
City of Port Moody website
Http://www.marinebio.net
Link marine science:mudflats