Fleet Lagoon was created when Chesil Beach was created, it is a saline lagoon 13km long and home to an abundance of Flora and Forna, which has been cut off from the rest of the sea by Chesil Beach. The Lagoon was formed when Chesil Beach moved on shore with the rising sea levels. It covers an area of 480 hectares and ranges between 900m in width at Littlesea to 65m at The Narrows.
The Lagoon is connected to the sea by a narrow channel at Ferrybridge into Portland Harbour, sea water can also get in via percolation through the beach, although this only happens at the right tidal conditions. Fresh water can enter the lagoon via small streams and run off from the surrounding fields.
Fleet Lagoon is an important ecosystem and is protected by carious schemes to help preserve the wildlife. It is home to over 150 species of seaweed, 25 species of fish and 60 species of mollusc as well as an abundance of birds and other water creatures. Over winter as many as 5000 Brent Gesse have been known to make their home at the Lagoon.
Did you know that Fleet Lagoon derives its name from the Saxon 'fleot', meaning shallow water!!
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