Burdon Canal Nature Reserve

Burdon Canal Nature Reserve
IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve)
Map of Belize
Location	Belize District, Belize
Nearest city	Belize City
Coordinates	17°29′46″N 88°15′43″W / 17.496°N 88.262°W / 17.496; -88.262[1]
Area	5,255 acres (2,127 ha)
Established	1992

The Burdon Canal Nature Reserve in Belize is a low-lying basin, comprising the backswamps of the Belize River/Haulover Creek delta. It is permanently waterlogged, with a gradient of saline to fresh water arising from regular tidal inundation at the seaward fringe and freshwater flooding from inland. During the dry season, parts of the reserve may become hypersaline. The site's elevation is generally sea level, but rises to approximately 4 ft (1.2 m) along river banks. It receives approximately 75 inches (1,900 mm) to 80 inches (2,000 mm) of rain per year. The tide in the Canal is semi-diurnal, and the water level at the Canal Bridge lags about 2-3 hours behind the centre of Belize City.