Current Date: 18 Sep, 2025
{{entry.title}}

The Mystery of Canada's Magical Spotted Lake

Lake Khiluk, the world's most mineralized lake, and one of the most mysterious places on Earth. Each of these spots has a distinct chemical content and is said to cure various diseases.

During the winter and spring, the lake northwest of Osoyoos in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley appears to be any other body of water. However, as the majority of the water evaporates in the summer, hundreds of large brackish pools are left behind, creating a polka-dotted landscape of yellow, green, and blue patches. The CBC describes Spotted Lake as “the most magical site in Canada.”

Formation of Colors and Spots

The Mystery of Canadas Magical Spotted Lake 1
Saline pools appear on Canada’s Spotted Lake when most of the water evaporates. Photo Credit: Justin Raycraft/flickr

The vibrant pools are the result of a high concentration of minerals in the water, including calcium, sodium sulphates, and magnesium sulphates. Minerals and salts have been washed down from the neighboring hills. The different colors are determined by the mineral content in each pool.

A Sacred History

According to the British Columbia Visitor Centre, Spotted Lake has been considered a sacred spot by the indigenous people of the Okanagan Nation for millennia. Each of the circles was thought to have various therapeutic and medicinal characteristics. Kliluk was the name given to the lake by the First Nations of the Okanagan Valley.

For many years, the land that surrounds the water was privately owned, but in 2001, it was purchased for the benefit and use of the Okanagan Nation. The purchase ensured that the area would be preserved as a cultural and environmental site and would be protected from development.

The Magic of #SpottedLake https://t.co/qHEB3hVq32 #kliluk #nsyilxcen, #TravelBC #travel #Canada #Okanagan #greatoutdoors #photography pic.twitter.com/oek4hSmkCO— Fractions of Destiny (@Destiny_Guitars) March 4, 2017

Minerals from the lake were utilized to make weaponry during World War I. Laborers extracted up to one ton of salt every day from the lake to harvest the minerals. According to the British Columbia Visitor Centre, the “lake presented an even greater diversity of colors and an even greater artistic beauty” before to the mineral mining.

Visitors who wish to see the lake up close can’t approach too close. To safeguard the region, a fence has been built, with a notice noting that it is culturally and ecologically sensitive. However, there are numerous vantage points along the route from which to view the lake’s iconic polka dots.

Though simple and direct science explains the whereabouts of the magical lake, at least one travel website offers a more intriguing explanation. “It’s more fun to pretend you’re living within the scene of a Dr. Seuss book when you visit in person,” says Spot Cool Stuff.

Similar Stories
What Was the Beast of Gévaudan?

What Was the Beast of Gévaudan?

Between 1764 and 1767, a mysterious animal called the Beast of Gévaudan terrorized the French village called Gévaudan. It attacked and killed about 100 adults and children. While most believe it was a wolf, some say it may have been a wolf-dog hybrid, hyena or even a lion, but without any genetic evidence, the beast will remain a mystery forever.

The Heartbreaking Story Of Ella Harper, The ‘Camel Girl’

The Heartbreaking Story Of Ella Harper, The ‘Camel Girl’

Ella Harper, Professionally known as the “Camel Girl” was born with a rare orthopedic condition that cased her knee to bend backward. Due to this condition, had to walked on all four legs, which resulted in her nickname as “Camel Girl”. Tough it was hard at first, but soon she made a fortune out of it.

El Ojo, The Mysterious Rotating Island

El Ojo, The Mysterious Rotating Island

In the middle of South America, a strange and nearly perfectly circle island moves on its own. The central landmass, known as 'El Ojo' or 'The Eye,' floats on a pond of clear and chilly water, looking strange and out of place in comparing to its surroundings. The bottom appears to be solid in compared to the marsh around it.

The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry

The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry

Before women were allowed to enroll in medical school, Margaret Ann Bulkley studied medicine and assumed the identity of Dr. James Barry for 56 years while dressing as a man. After 46 years of service as an army doctor officer, her secret was not made public until after her death in 1865.

Mystery of 300-year-old mummified mermaid is being probed

Mystery of 300-year-old mummified mermaid is being probed

There is a 300-year-old mummified mermaid with 30 centimetres tall and features a human-like head, two hands with what appear to be fingernails, and its lower body that look like a fish tail. The “mermaid mummy” is being probed by Japanese scientists in an attempt to unravel the mystery of its existence.

The mysterious GIANT spherical stones

The mysterious GIANT spherical stones

Mysterious spherical stones ranging in size from a few millimeters to several meters have been discovered in Crimea, United States, Russia, and New Zealand. There are many theories from various geologists, but none of them are clear.

The Remarkable story of jazz bassists Henry Grimes, lost but found as janitor and reclaimed the spotlight

The Remarkable story of jazz bassists Henry Grimes, lost but found as janitor and reclaimed the spotlight

Henry Grimes, one of the most versatile jazz bassists, disappeared in the 1960s and was later presumed dead. However, a jazz-loving social worker found him in 2002 working as a janitor in a hotel. Grimes found his way back into the limelight when a fellow musician sent him a bass as a gift. In 2016, he received a lifetime achievement award.

Mystery SOLVED: blood Rain in India

Mystery SOLVED: blood Rain in India

The dissemination of spores of microalgae has been identified as the origin of the 'Blood Rain' phenomena, according to a new study by Indian and Austrian experts. Since 1896, reports of intermittent red-colored rain in portions of Kerala and Sri Lanka have been coming in. The most recent one occurred in 2013 over Kerala.