The Lagoons

Buena Vista

Size: 350 acres of marshland ranging in depth from a few inches to 6 feet.

Ownership: Most of the lagoon is part of an ecological reserve owned by the state. A small area east of Interstate 5 is privately owned, including 27 acres owned by Hughes Investments.

Planned developments: Hughes Investments plans to build a shopping center and commercial building in the northeast area of the lagoon.

Agua Hedionda

Size: 388 acres of mud flats and deep water.

Ownership: San Diego Gas & Electric owns 262 acres on south and northwest sides, including Encina Power Plant site. Irvine-based Cal Communities Inc. owns land on northeast side.

Planned developments: A 1,600-unit residential and commercial development on 433 acres of the eastern shore by Cal Communities Inc. The plan goes before the Coastal Commission in April.

Batiquitos

Size: 526 acres of shallow wetlands.

Ownership: Hunt Properties Inc. owns 325 acres on east shore; Sammis Properties owns 166 acres on north shore; remainder state-owned.

Planned developments: Hunt Properties proposes Pacific Rim Country Club, a resort to include 5,400 dwellings. Sammis Properties plaNS A 166-acre development with 611 homes, a college campus, a hotel and recreational complex.

San Elijo

Size: 900 acres of mud flats, marshland and open water, to 4 feet deep.

Ownership: Most is an ecological reserve, owned and managed by San Diego County and the state. Bay west of train tracks owned by private parties.

Planned developments: Mira Costa College plans campus on northeast shore. County has OKd a 38-unit project on southwest shore, with 6.1 acres for a reserve. Lawsuit has been filed.

San Dieguito

Size: More than 400 acres that range from shallow marshland to tidal channels up to 6 feet deep.

Ownership: State of California and City of Del Mar.

Planned developments: Del Mar Fairgrounds is interested in using the land north of the lagoon and adjacent to the park for parking, while another landowner plans to build a hotel northeast of the lagoon.

Los Penasquitos

Size: 385 acres of salt flats, marshland and tidal channels.

Ownership: Torrey Pines State Reserve takes 150 acres around lagoon; SDG&E; owns 240 acres, and hills on northeast are privately owned.

Planned developments: SDG&E; bought land in 1966 for a nuclear power plant, but a zoning change blocked it. SDG&E; seeks to build a 100-acre industrial park north of Sorrento Valley.