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Lake Minnewanka

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Primary inflows
  
Cascade River

Max. length
  
28 km (17 mi)

Surface elevation
  
1,500 m

Province
  
Alberta

Lake type
  
Reservoir

Basin countries
  
Canada

Max. depth
  
142 m (466 ft)

Length
  
28 km

Inflow source
  
Cascade River

Lake Minnewanka httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Location
  
Banff National Park, Alberta

Similar
  
Banff National Park, Bow Falls, Banff Upper Hot Springs, Vermilion Lakes, Canadian Rockies

Lake Minnewanka ( /ˌmɪnəˈwɑːŋkə/)("Water of the Spirits" in Nakoda) is a glacial lake located in the eastern area of Banff National Park in Canada, about five kilometres (3.1 miles) northeast of the Banff townsite. The lake is 21 km (13 mi) long and 142 m (466 ft) deep, making it the longest lake in the mountain parks of the Canadian Rockies (the result of a power dam at the west end).

Map of Lake Minnewanka, Improvement District No. 9, AB, Canada

The lake is fed by the Cascade River, flowing east of Cascade Mountain, and runs south through Stewart Canyon as it empties into the western end of the lake. Numerous streams flowing down from Mount Inglismaldie, Mount Girouard and Mount Peechee on the south side of the lake also feed the lake.

Aboriginal people long inhabited areas around Lake Minnewanka, as early as 10,000 years ago, according to stone tools and a Clovis point spearhead discovered by archaeologists. The area is rich in animal life (e.g. elk, mule deer, mountain sheep, bears) and the easy availability of rock in the mountainous terrain was key to fashioning weapons for hunting.

The western end of the lake can be reached by following Lake Minnewanka road from the Trans-Canada Highway. Boat tours are available near the parking lot. A hiking and mountain biking trail runs along the northern shore of the lake, passing Stewart Canyon and six backcountry campsites. Mount Aylmer which at 3,162 m (10,374 ft) is the highest mountain in this area of the park, is located a few kilometres north of the lake.

Dams were built in 1912 and 1941 to supply the town with hydro-electric power. The most recent dam (1941) raised the lake 30 m (98 ft) and submerged the resort village of Minnewanka Landing that had been present there since 1888. Because of the presence of the submerged village, submerged bridge pilings, and submerged dam (the one from 1912) the lake is popular among recreational scuba divers. The construction of the dam resulted in involuntary resettlement of inhabitants from the reservoir area.

References

Lake Minnewanka Wikipedia