Lake Minnewanka might be one of Banff National Park’s most popular spots, but what many people don’t know is that the lake’s shoreline was once home to a bustling summer resort called Minnewanka Landing. Visitors once came here to stay and spend time along the water, before the landscape changed dramatically and the community disappeared beneath the lake.
Let’s dive into the fascinating history hiding beneath Lake Minnewanka.
What was Minnewanka Landing?
Long before the lake covered it, Minnewanka Landing was a summer resort community on the original shoreline of Lake Minnewanka. According to Parks Canada, the first hotel, the Beach House, was built in 1886, and by 1912, the community had grown into a small summer village with four avenues and three streets, along with hotels, wharves, and sailing tours.
Why is the town no longer there?
The town’s fate was tied to plans to use Lake Minnewanka to generate hydroelectric power. A dam was first built in 1895 to raise and control the lake’s water level. Another dam followed in 1912, raising the water again and partially flooding the community.
The final dam was built in 1941, raising the lake by 30 metres. This time, the water rose high enough to completely cover Minnewanka Landing. The community was never rebuilt elsewhere, and the former resort area became part of the lake itself.
Can you still see the submerged town?
While you can’t see an entire town beneath the surface from the shoreline, some of the former townsite remains are still underwater. Parks Canada has documented historic features including house foundations, the remains of a hotel, wharves and parts of the 1912 bridge. The cold water has helped preserve many of these structures, which scuba divers can still explore.
What is Lake Minnewanka like today?
Today, Lake Minnewanka looks very different from the community that once lined its shoreline. Surrounded by Rocky Mountain peaks, the lake is now a popular spot for spending a lake day in Banff National Park. Visitors can take a guided boat cruise, hike alongside the water, go fishing, have a picnic, or simply take in the mountain views.
And while the lake has changed dramatically since the days of Minnewanka Landing, the old community was never completely erased. So the next time you’re there, just remember that beneath those sparkling waters are the remnants of the community that once made this stretch of the Rockies a summer getaway.
Where: Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, Improvement District, No. 9, Alta.
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Kaiya Williams
Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.
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