Osoyoos is known for its warm summers, gorgeous lakes, unique desert wildlife and great outdoor activities. It’s also known for the unique natural formation of Spotted Lake – a huge draw for visitors to the area.
Located along Highway 3, northwest of Osoyoos in the Eastern Similkameen Valley, the Spotted Lake has a very highly concentration of numerous different minerals such as magnesium sulfate, calcium and sodium sulfates. It also contains extremely high concentrations of eight 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 large “spots” of minerals. Depending on the mineral composition left behind, the spots will be of white, pale yellow, green or blue in color. The spots are made mainly of magnesium sulfate, which crystallizes in the summer to form harden natural “walkways” around and between the spots.
During the First World War, minerals from the lake were harvested for manufacture of ammunition. Chinese laborers were said to have skimmed up to a ton a day of salts from the surface of the lake and shipped them to munitions factories in eastern Canada.
So if you don’t know where to travel this summer, Spotted Lake is one of the places you should definitely visit without doubting. But if you still are, we are sure that this collection of photos from the lake will erase all your doubts immediately. Enjoy!
