Mysterious Lake of Canada: Kliluk Lake of Canada

the Spotted Lake (kliluk)

Spotted Lake, or Kliluk, is a strangely patterned body of water located between the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys in the desert of British Columbia. It contains large amounts of magnesium sulfate, calcium, and sodium sulfate as well as other minerals and traces of silver and titanium.

Mysterious Lake of Canada

Considered a sacred healing site by the First Nations people known as Kleeluk in both Canada and the United States, the lake is surrounded by caves – rock piles often indicating tombs.

In the summer when water evaporates in the desert climate, these minerals appear in the lake’s namesake “spots.” At that time, it will be possible to walk among the salt crystal polka dots through the dry parts of the lake.

history

The First Nations of the Okanagan Valley originally called it Kleeluk. Kleeluk, the spotted lake, has been revered by its people for centuries as curative. During the First World War, the minerals of this lake were used as essential ammunition.

The area remained under the control of the Ernest Smith family for approximately 40 years. In 1979, Smith attempted to generate interest in a lakeside spa.

chemical it contains

Most of the lake’s water evaporates in the summer, revealing colorful mineral deposits. Large ‘spots’ appear on the lake and are colored according to the mineral composition and seasonal amount of rainfall.
Magnesium sulfate, which crystallizes in the summer, is a major contributor to the colour.

In the summer, the minerals left in the lake harden to form natural “walkways” around and between spots.

The spotted lake is rich in various minerals. It has dense deposits of magnesium sulfate, calcium, and sodium sulfate. It contains high concentrations of eight other minerals and lesser amounts of silver and titanium.