Centuries Old Water Heats up Banff’s Upper Hot Springs - It’s a Mystery

For Immediate Release

May 24, 2007

Banff Lake Louise Tourism
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Centuries Old Water Heats up Banff’s Upper Hot Springs - It’s a Mystery

Banff National Park, Alberta – Natural mineral water is now flowing back into Banff’s Upper Hot Springs after a brief hiatus over winter. It is unknown for sure why the water periodically stops running, but there are certainly some interesting theories.

A hot spring begins when precipitation seeps through cracks in rocks and travels deep into the earth’s crust. Hard-hat underground tours of the Banff Upper Hot Springs are available for media where you will learn how the water flows through a high-tech heat exchange system, hear the theories as to why the water periodically stops flowing, and learn why its final journey generates huge environmental benefits for the Banff Upper Hot Springs facility.

Hot Springs are a rich part of Banff’s history. With the discovery of the bubbling mineral water in 1882 by workers on the Canadian Pacific Railway, Banff’s tourism industry was born. In 1884 Europeans visited the Upper Hot Springs for the first time, but human use of the mineral water dates back long before with Canada’s Native Peoples who believed the waters sacred – a place to cure illness and maintain health.

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Contact: Annik Laroche
Office: 403-762-0290
annik@banfflakelouise.com

About Banff Lake Louise Tourism

Banff Lake Louise is a destination marketing organization for the Town of Banff, Community of Lake Louise and Banff National Park. Supporting over 800 businesses, our mission is to engage visitors in unrivalled, remarkable experiences with our membership. General media inquiries, please call Annik LaRoche, Manager, Media Relations at 403.762.0290 or e-mail annik@banfflakelouise.com. http://www.banfflakelouise.com/