Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka ("Water of the Spirits" in the Stoney Indian language) is located in the eastern area of Banff National Park in Canada, about five kilometres northeast of the Banff townsite. The lake is 24 km (15 mi) long and 142 metres (466 ft) deep, making it the longest lake in the mountain parks of the Canadian Rockies. The lake is fed by the Cascade River, flowing east of Cascade Mountain, and runs south through Stewart Canyon as it empties into the westen end of the lake. Numerous streams flowing down from Mount Inglismaldie, Mount Girouard and Mount Peechee on the south side of the lake also feed the lake.
Aboriginal people long inhabited areas around Lake Minnewanka, as early as 10,000 years ago, according to stone tools and a Clovis point spearhead discovered by archaeologists. The area is rich in animal life (e.g. elk, deer, mountain sheep, bears) and the easy availability of rock in the mountainous terrain was key to fashioning weapons for hunting.
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. A hiking trail (also open to mountain bikes) runs along the northern shore of the lake, passing Stewart Canyon and five backcountry campsites. Mount Aylmer (3361m), the highest mountain in this area of the park, is located a few kilometres north of the lake.
Dams were built in 1912, 1922 and 1941 to supply the town with hydro-electric power.
