Spotted Lake

© Joan E. Hoffman

Spotted Lake

Uploaded: December 12, 2011

Description

Exif: F Number: 18, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/125 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 250, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 200.00 mm, Model: NIKON D300

Comments

Joan E. Hoffman December 13, 2011

Mineral and salt concentration
Spotted Lake is very highly concentrated with numerous different minerals. It contains some of the highest quantities (in the world) of magnesium sulfate, calcium and sodium sulphates. It also contains extremely high concentrations of 8 other minerals as well as some small doses of four others such as silver and titanium.

Most of the water in the lake evaporates over the summer, leaving behind all the minerals. Large “spots” on the lake appear and depending on the mineral composition at the time, the spots will be different colors. The spots are made mainly of magnesium sulfate, which crystallizes in the summer. In the summer only the minerals in the lake remain, and they harden to form natural “walkways” around and between the spots.
Originally known to the First Nations of the Okanagan Valley as Khiluk, they considered it a sacred site, primarily as they regarded the lake's waters as possessing therapeutic value. The lake’s minerals were also put to use in the manufacture of ammunition for World War I.

The lake and its surrounding land were not actually owned by the first Nations; it was owned by the Ernest Smith Family for about 40 years. Despite this, the First Nations were very protective of the lake; so protective that when, in 1979, Smith attempted to have a spa at the lake, they attempted to buy the lake so they could keep it as a sacred site.

After over 20 years of trying but failing to convince Smith to sell the land, they finally did make a deal in late October 2001, when they bought 22 hectares of land for a total of $720,000. The First Nations paid $150,000 while the Indian Affairs Department paid the remainder. #1429991

Irene Colling level-classic January 08, 2012

Excellent, fill the frame abstract. #9909694

Phyllis A. Houghton March 01, 2012

The image and story are both very interesting. Thank you so much for giving the history and cause of such a unique lake. #10017198

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