Lake Minnewanka facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lake Minnewanka
September 2005
Lake Minnewanka Location in Alberta
Location	Banff National Park, Alberta
Coordinates	51°15′29″N 115°22′23″W / 51.25806°N 115.37306°W / 51.25806; -115.37306
Lake type	reservoir, natural lake
Primary inflows	Cascade River
Basin countries	Canada
Max. length	28 km (17 mi)
Max. depth	142 m (466 ft)
Surface elevation	1,500 metres (4,900 ft)

Lake Minnewanka is a stunning lake located in Banff National Park in Canada. Its name means "Water of the Spirits" in the Nakoda language. You can find it about 5 kilometers (3 miles) northeast of the town of Banff.

This lake is very long, stretching about 21 kilometers (13 miles). It is also quite deep, reaching 142 meters (466 feet) at its deepest point. This makes it the second longest lake in the Canadian Rockies mountain parks.

Where Does the Water Come From?

Lake Minnewanka gets its water from the Cascade River. This river flows east of Cascade Mountain. It then runs south through Stewart Canyon before emptying into the western end of the lake.

Many smaller streams also feed the lake. These streams flow down from mountains like Mount Inglismaldie, Mount Girouard, and Mount Peechee. These mountains are on the south side of the lake.

A Look Back in Time

People have lived around Lake Minnewanka for a very long time. Archaeologists have found stone tools and a special spearhead called a Clovis point. These findings show that people were here as early as 10,000 years ago.

The area was full of animals like elk, mule deer, mountain sheep, and bears. The mountains provided plenty of rock. This rock was used to make tools and weapons for hunting.

Fun Things to Do at the Lake

You can easily reach the western end of Lake Minnewanka by car. Just follow Lake Minnewanka road from the Trans-Canada Highway. Once there, you can enjoy boat tours near the parking lot.

If you like being active, there's a hiking and mountain biking trail. It runs along the northern shore of the lake. This trail passes through Stewart Canyon and leads to six backcountry campsites. Mount Aylmer, the highest mountain in this part of the park, is also nearby.

The Underwater Village

Over the years, dams were built on the lake to create electricity. The most recent dam was built in 1941. This dam raised the lake's water level by 30 meters (98 feet).

When the water rose, it covered a small resort village called Minnewanka Landing. This village had been there since 1888. Now, the old village, bridge supports, and even an older dam from 1912 are all underwater.

Because of these submerged structures, Lake Minnewanka is a very popular spot for scuba divers. They love exploring the hidden history beneath the waves!

Gallery

See also

In Spanish: Lago Minnewanka para niños