The summertime phenomenon that gives Kalamalka Lake its many colours

VERNON – If the vibrant colours of Kalamalka Lake have you checking the tint on your sunglasses, rest assured, your shades aren’t playing tricks on you. The lake really is that incredible blue-green hue, and here’s why.

Tourism Vernon explained the phenomenon on its Facebook page, and it goes like this:

Kalamalka Lake is what’s called a ‘marl’ lake and contains limestone deposits left behind by receding glaciers.

When the water warms up in the summer, the dissolved limestone crystallizes and makes it look like gallons of blue and green Kool-aid was poured into the lake.

But the dazzling colours are only temporary. When the lake cools down, the limestone crystals vanish, and so does the green-blue hue.

The lake is, of course, a sight to behold at any time of the year, but it’s this summertime phenomenon that has earned it the title of ‘the lake of many colours.’\

— This story was originally published Aug. 19, 2015

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