Geography Coquitlam

coquitlam city hall

coquitlam s geographic shape can thought of tilted hourglass, 2 larger parcels of land smaller central section connecting them.

southwest coquitlam comprises original core of city, maillardville , fraser river industrial sector giving way large residential areas of austin heights, colloquially referred bump due high , flat plateau topography. these older residences, larger property dimensions, increasingly being torn down , replaced newer , larger homes. poirier street area city s original recreational centre coquitlam sports centre, chimo aquatic , fitness centre, , sports fields located there, while city hall located further south in maillardville.

the austin heights area contains como lake, renowned urban fishing , recreation area, , headwaters como watershed. watershed represents 1 of last urban watersheds in tri-cities supports wild stocks of coho salmon other species @ risk such coastal cutthroat trout (both sea-run , resident) , bird species such great blue heron , green heron. contains mundy park, 1 of largest urban parks in metro vancouver area.

lafarge lake @ coquitlam town centre

in 1984, provincial government sold 57 hectares (141 acres) formerly attached riverview hospital molnar developments. shortly afterward, land subdivided , became riverview heights, 250 single family homes. remaining 240 acres (0.97 km) of still-active mental health facility has been subject of controversy between developers, environmentalists, , conservationists. in 2005, city s task force on hospital lands rejected idea of further housing on lands , declared lands , buildings should protected , remain mental health facility.

coquitlam town centre, designated regional town centre under metro vancouver’s livable region strategic plan. concept of town centre area dates 1975, , intended have high concentration of high-density housing, offices, cultural, entertainment , education facilities serve major growth areas of region, served rapid transit service. in town centre many public buildings can found, including city hall, branch of coquitlam public library, r.c.m.p. station, coquitlam s main fire hall, david lam campus of douglas college, evergreen cultural centre, city centre aquatic complex, town centre park , percy perry stadium. coquitlam town centre undergoing update of town centre plan.

in 1989, provincial government sold 570 hectares (1,409 acres) of second-growth forested land on south slope of eagle mountain, known locally eagle ridge, developer wesbild. resulted in closure of westwood motorsport park in 1990, , creation of westwood plateau, developed 4,525 upscale homes, 2 golf courses.

with development on westwood plateau completed , opening of david avenue connector in 2006, coquitlam s primary urban development has shifted burke mountain in northeastern portion of city.

westwood plateau, burke mountain behind , golden ears provincial park in distance

coquitlam land use (2001) total 152.5 km (37,684 acres):

agricultural land 381.25 ha (942.1 acres)
extractive industry 138.00 ha (341.0 acres)
harvesting , research 0.00 ha (0.0 acres)
residential

single family 2,790.75 ha (6,896.1 acres)
rural 488.00 ha (1,205.9 acres)
town/low-rise 244.00 ha (602.9 acres)
high-rise 15.25 ha (37.7 acres)


commercial 288.75 ha (713.5 acres)
industrial 427.00 ha (1,055.1 acres)
institutional 350.75 ha (866.7 acres)
transport. comm., utilities 274.50 ha (678.3 acres)
recreation / nature areas 5,429.00 ha (13,415.4 acres)
open / undeveloped 3,080.50 ha (7,612.1 acres)
gvrd watershed 1,342.00 ha (3,316.2 acres)

climate

like of metro vancouver, coquitlam has oceanic climate (köppen climate type cfb), enjoying mild temperatures , sufficient precipitation; warm/dry summers , wet/cool winters. however, unlike other cities in area, precipitation heavy in coquitlam due proximity mountain slopes. westward air moving off pacific ocean, air forced flow coast mountains causing cool , condense , fall precipitation, process known orographic precipitation. orographic effect responsible massive 1,969 mm (77.5 in) annual average precipitation coquitlam receives each year, falling rainfall in fall , winter months, 316 mm (12.4 in) in november; summer sunny minimal precipitation 60.7 mm (2.39 in) in july. although mild temperatures allow rain fall during winter months, snow fall. higher elevation compared rest of metro vancouver, coquitlam receives average of 56 cm (22 in) of snow each year, staying on ground more day or two, adding intermittent snow cover during winter season. on 29 december 1996 on 45 cm of snow fell in 24 hours.

coquitlam located in warmest region in canada average mean annual temperature 10.2 °c (50.4 °f). temperatures warm during summer months average high of 22.7 °c (72.9 °f), , average low of 13.4 °c (56.1 °f) in august. during winter months, average high 5.6 °c (42.1 °f), , average low 0.9 °c (33.6 °f) in december. relatively mild climate, canadian standards, caused warm alaska current offshore , many mountain ranges preventing cold arctic air rest of canada reaching southwest corner of british columbia.

one of recent snowy winters 2008–09, when, in mid-december, cold temperatures arctic front collided moist air pacific; on 100 centimetres (39 in) of snow fell throughout december , temperatures stayed below 0 °c (32 °f) on 2 weeks, which, in effect, resulted in extreme snow cover of 50 centimetres (20 in) christmas. in first 2 weeks of january 2009, sudden thaw induced pineapple express caused heavy rain fall. however, due further distance away coast , higher elevation of coquitlam in comparison other communities in metro vancouver, of precipitation fell in first week of january 2009 heavy, wet snow produced snow cover of 70 centimetres (28 in). flooding concern in low-lying areas near fraser river. after winter of 2008–09 ended, 190 centimetres (75 in) of snow had fallen.