What makes Lake Khiluk, also known as ”Polka Dot” lake, unique is its appearance in the summer, when most of the water evaporates from the lake, leaving mineral deposits that look like rocks. polka dots.
Besides its attractive appearance, Khiluk Lake has also attracted tourists for thousands of years thanks to its unique mineral properties. Polka Dot Lake has been used by the Okanagan tribes of the First Nations as part of a variety of healing rituals throughout the tribe’s long history in the region.
In fact, after analysis, scientists have discovered that the lake’s salinity combined with its mineral composition can allow the water in the lake to heal a variety of diseases.
Lake water contains various minerals such as calcium, sodium, magnesium sulphate, and even silver and titanium.
The Okanagan tribe of the First Nations has long believed that Lake Khiluk has the power to heal a variety of wounds and illnesses. According to The Earth Chronicles of Life, an age-old tribal story tells that the lake was able to prevent an ancient war between the tribes by healing warriors so quickly that they decided to fight. is meaningless.
The lake was named Lake Khiluk by the Aboriginal people living in the Okanagan valley, who believed it to be a holy site and filled with healing miracles. The lake was originally a private lake belonging to the Ernest Smith family. However, in 1979, when this family was planning to build a spa next to the lake, the Canadian government bought the lake to keep it as a holy tourist destination.
Lake Khiluk is an important cultural site for First Nations Okanagan tribe members who live in the area where tourists are not allowed to enter the water unless authorized. However, visitors can still see the lake from a nearby highway, many stopping by the side of the road to get a better view. A sign on the gate outside a nearby house informs visitors of the lake’s supposed healing powers, according to Unusual Places.
In winter and spring, Spotted Lake is just like any other ordinary lake. In the summer, the weather becomes hotter, the temperature increases causing most of the water in the lake to evaporate, revealing the giant “polka-dot” circles, full of beautiful yellow, green and blue colors.
These circles are actually minerals such as magnesium, calcium, sodium, sulfur… that have been accumulated for many years in the lake bed. The color of the “spots” varies greatly, depending on the concentration of minerals present in the “spots”.
During World War I, minerals in the lake were mined to produce ammunition. Every day, farmers will also extract more than a ton of salt from the lake.
The land surrounding the lake was originally owned by a private family, but it was acquired by the federal government in 2001 to preserve cultural and environmental values for the Okanagan valley area. The government here wants to preserve and take care of this lake in order to keep it for future generations, to avoid it being exploited for tourism or for personal purposes.
Lake Khiluk is important to the Okanagan people on a cultural basis, but the idea that the lake has healing powers may be more than just spiritual, as the minerals in the lake are known to be good for health.
While it may not be able to magically make wounds disappear, the minerals in Khiluk Lake have been shown to help heal and manage pain associated with certain types of wounds.
The lake contains minerals such as sulfate, titanium, magnesium, and sodium. These minerals, especially magnesium, have been used to treat many medical conditions with varying degrees of success.
CBC, Canada called this “the most mysterious and magical lake in Canada”. With its natural characteristics, Canada possesses thousands of lakes and lagoons, but not all lakes can evaporate water like Khiluk or concentrate so many metal ores. The reason why this lake can evaporate is because of its very cold climate.
You may already know about the potential benefits of magnesium, found in Epsom salt solutions. Magnesium in soaking water can help relieve muscle pain as well as increase the amount of magnesium in the body. According to Health Direct, magnesium deficiency can cause many problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, migraines and osteoporosis. Bathing with Epsom salts can provide similar benefits to a dip in Khiluk Lake, potentially reducing the risk of these problems and aiding in pain management.
