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The Hot Springs are
Harrison's namesake.
The mineral rich hot springs were originally used by the Salish
Coast Natives who revered them as a "healing place", arriving by
canoe to benefit from their rejuvenating waters. These healing waters can be enjoyed by all at the Harrison
Hot Springs Public Pool. Open Monday through Thursday 9:00am till 9:00pm, and Friday and Saturday 9:00am till 10:00pm.
Adults $8.50, Children and Seniors $6.25, Children 4 and under Free. One dip tickets as well as day passes can
be purchased. Locker and towel rentals are available for a nominal fee.
The facts:
There are in fact two
hot springs at the south end of Harrison Lake, the Potash, with a temperature of 40°C (120°F),
and the Sulphur, with a temperature of 65°C (150°F).
Combined the temperature averages 145F/62.8C
at the source which is then cooled down for the pool to 100F/38C
According to the Resort the waters average 1300 ppm of dissolved mineral solids, one of the highest concentrations of
any mineral spring.
Harrison's hot spring is one of several lining the valley of the Lillooet River and Harrison Lake, with two others
on the lake at Twenty Mile Bay and at Port Douglas, at the head of the Bay. The northernmost of the Lillooet River
hot springs is at Meager Creek, north of Whistler, with another well-known one to the east of Whistler at Skookumchuck.
The
belief:
In general heated water can hold more dissolved solids. Hot springs
coming up through the earths crust often have a very high mineral
content, containing everything from simple calcium to lithium, and
even radium. The Harrison Hot Springs are said to bring relief to sufferers of
rheumatism and arthritis through the 8 minerals present in the water
including: sulphur, iron, magnesia, Epsom salts, iodine, potash and
alum. For more information on healing waters or the study of
Hot Springs
click here.
The Story:
The traditional story of the spring's discovery talks about one
member of a nearly frozen group of miners who were returning down
the lake from Port Douglas, falling into the water from either being
over anxious to reach the shore or from weakness. In any event he
was so happy with the warmth, that his companions soon joined him. A
year later Judge Matthew Begbie named the springs Alice Springs
after the daughter of then Governor Douglas.
Other great Hot Springs in B.C. include:
Other less known Hot Springs that often require some off-roading or
hiking can be found if you follow this link:
BC
Hot Springs. This site also has an extensive listing of
hot springs throughout the Northwest.
Just over the border in Alberta are a couple of other hot springs
worth mentioning:
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