Great Pond (Saint Croix)

Great Pond
Great Pond Great Pond
Location	Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Coordinates	17°43′31″N 64°39′24″W
Type	Lagoon
Catchment area	470 hectares (1,200 acres)
Max. length	1,000 metres (3,300 ft)
Max. width	105 metres (344 ft)
Surface area	50 hectares (120 acres)
Salinity	20 to 40 parts per thousand
Surface elevation	Sea level

Great Pond is a 50 ha saline coastal lagoon on the south-eastern shoreline of the island of Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands.

Description

The lagoon is separated from Great Pond Bay on its southern side by a vegetated baymouth bar about 1,100 m long, with a maximum width of 105 m. It connects with the sea by a narrow channel at its south-eastern corner. The perimeter of the lagoon is vegetated with black mangroves, and extensive mudflats are exposed when water levels are low. The salinity of the water in the lagoon varies between 20 and 40 parts per thousand, depending on rainfall and groundwater runoff in the 470 ha catchment. There is a small settlement of about 100 houses in the watershed of the lagoon, mainly on its north-eastern side.

Important bird area

Least terns nest in the IBA

A 64 ha area, encompassing the lagoon and its immediate wetland surrounds, has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports populations of white-crowned pigeons, green-throated caribs, Antillean crested hummingbirds and Caribbean elaenias, as well as a breeding colony of least terns.

References

• U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Great Pond (Saint Croix)