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Lake Minnewanka Boat Tours
Categories: Hotels & Travel Tours Active Life Boating Tours, Boating [Edit]
PO Box 2189 Stn MainBanff, AB T1L 1B9
(403) 762-3473
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
One review for Lake Minnewanka Boat Tours
1 review in English
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Review from Eric B.
6/7/2011
Lake Minnewanka ("Water of the Spirits" in Nakota Indian language) is a glacial lake located within an easy 5 km drive from the Banff Town Site. The lake is 28 km long and 142 m deep, making it the longest lake in the mountain parks of the Canadian Rockies (the result of a power dam at the west end). The lake is fed by the Cascade River and other streams from the Mountains above.
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 and it is kind of fun to get out on the water. In addition, a hiking trail runs along the northern shore of the lake, passing Stewart Canyon and six back country campsites. It's all a pleasant diversion from nearby tourist hordes and a nice warm up for all the other choices that this wonderful National Park offers.
Dams were built in 1912 and 1941 to supply the Banff Town Site with hydro-electric power. The most recent dam (1941) raised the lake 30 m 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.
