All About Halfmoon Bay/Secret Cove, British Columbia

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Halfmoon Bay Facts

GEOGRAPHY:

This striking image of a lake high up in the Caren Range was shot by
PhotographyTips.com

The Halfmoon Bay area is Area B of the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD). It encompasses approximately 4666 hectares of land extending from the eastern boundary of the District of Sechelt at Sargeant Bay (the Redrooffs area) northwest to Halfmoon Bay, Secret Cove and Wood Bay, and includes Trout Lake to the east of Halfmoon Bay and part of the Strait of Georgia and Malaspina Strait to the southwest. Geologically, it falls within the eastern section of the Georgia Depression, a coastal trough extending from Alaska to the Gulf of California and consisting of numerous straits, the Georgia Lowland and adjacent Coast Mountains. The elevation changes from sea level to approximately 400 metres in the lower slopes of the Caren Range.

POPULATION of Halfmoon Bay (9.5% of the total SCRD)

May 1996 census - 2327 people

May 1986 census - 1182 people

While the rest of the SCRD had an 8% population growth between 1986 and 1996, the Halfmoon Bay area experienced a sizable 30% growth increase, due to migration into the area more than to birthrate. The percentage of children residing at home is less than the average for the SCRD, the percentage of single family homes is significantly less (5% compared to 12% for the district) and the percentage of retirement-aged people is slightly higher and expected to increase. 87% of the housing consists of single detached dwellings.

 

 

SERVICES:
The Halfmoon Bay region is within the Halfmoon Bay Fire Protection District, serviced by over 25 members of the Volunteer Fire Department. They operate from the fire hall on the north end of Redrooffs Road at the highway. For medical services, residents travel to doctors or to St. Mary's Regional Hospital in Sechelt. Ambulance service is from Sechelt, administered by the Coast Garibaldi Health Unit. The Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft, the Aerovac helicopter service and the Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue crew are also available in emergency situations.

WATER SYSTEMS:
A number of watercourses flow through the area. Halfmoon Creek and Homesite Creek both originate near Carlson Lake in the Caren Range of mountains to the north of Halfmoon Bay. Halfmoon Creek drains into Halfmoon Bay and Homesite Creek into Secret Cove. Kenyon Creek and Colvin Creek both originate from marshy areas near Trout Lake and flow into Sargeant Bay. As well as several smaller creeks and streams, there are numerous swamps and small lakes, typical of the undulating terrain.

HABITAT & WILDLIFE:

Caren Range from the air
Photo courtesy of PhotographyTips.com

There are three main habitat areas: Woodland, Streamside and Coastal Waterfront, each of which supports a variety of unique animal and plant species. Development plans are in effect to regulate the impact on these unique environments. Natural vegetation consists chiefly of coniferous forest (red cedar, hemlock, Douglas fir and lodgepole pine) with some deciduous trees (broadleaf maple and red alder) and mixed ground cover (salal, fern and moss). Along the rocky shoreline and in exposed bedrock areas, pine and arbutus thrive.

Common mammals in the area are coastal blacktail deer, Douglas squirrels, bush rabbits and raccoons. Marine mammals include harbour seals, sea otters, mink, Stellar sea lions and sixteen species of whales and dolphins, chiefly killer whales. Common fish are chum and coho salmon, cutthroat trout and shellfish such as mussels, oysters and clams. Marine birds in the area include bald eagles, great blue herons, Canada geese, osprey, cormorants, loons, sandpipers and coots.

 

	Sunshine Coast	Vancouver	Calgary	Toronto
Average Temperature Celsius	low - 7 high - 13.4	low - 7 high - 12.8	low - 3 high - 9.7	low - 2 high - 12.4
Precipitation	total - 1060mm snow - 36cm	total - 1203mm snow - 36cm	total - 424mm snow - 153cm	total - 762mm snow - 131cm
Frost-Free Days	334	329	112	149

As indicated by the above chart, the climate of the Halfmoon Bay region, like that of the rest of the Sunshine Coast, is characterized by dry, sunny, moderately warm summers and rainy, almost snow-free winters. The temperate climate and abundant precipitation make the area green and blooming year-round.

INDUSTRY:
Forestry: Forestry plays a major role in the economy of Halfmoon Bay, although less so than in the past as the logging industry is suffering a general decline. Approximately half the region is located within Managed Forest Lands or the Sechelt Provincial Forest. There are a number of small lumber mills located off Trout Lake Road and Curran Road and an active log dump and booming ground in the waters of Halfmoon Bay. Tow boat reserves exist in Halfmoon Bay and Secret Cove and off Smuggler Cove on the east side of Turnagain Island.

Pictured at right: Caren Range from the air
Photo courtesy of PhotographyTips.com

Fishing: Both Native and commercial fisheries operate in the Halfmoon Bay area, and the government dock is in use for both recreational and commercial moorage. Secret Cove offers sheltered moorage and marine services, making it a popular spot for recreational fishing and home to Royal Vancouver Yacht Club facilities. Over 250 pleasure boats moorages and 100 summer moorages in five marinas are located in Secret Cove. Marine services account for almost 60% of commercial zoning in the region.

Agriculture: Agriculture is not developed in the Halfmoon Bay area, although some regions (approximately 360 hectares) fall within the Agricultural Land Reserve. There is a small sand and gravel quarry in the north end of the region close to the highway.

 

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