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Lake Minnewanka ("Water of the Spirits" in Indian language) is a glacial lake located in the eastern area of Banff NP. The lake is 24 km long and 142 m deep, making it the longest lake in the mountain parks of the Canadian Rockies.

Aboriginal people long inhabited areas around Lake Minnewanka, as early as 10,000 years ago. The area is rich in animal life (e.g. elk, mule deer, mountain sheep, bears) and the easy availability of rock in the mountainous terrain was key to fashioning weapons for hunting.

Dams were built in 1912, 1922 and 1941 to supply the town with hydro-electric power. The most recent dam raised the lake 30 m and submerged the resort village of Minnewanka Landing that had been present there since 1888. Because of the presence of the submerged village, submerged bridge pilings, and submerged dam (the one from 1912) the lake is popular among recreational scuba divers.

(Adapted from Wikipedia)

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Le lac Minnewanka (« Eaux des esprits » en langue indienne), de source glacière, est situé dans la partie est du parc national de Banff. Il mesure 24km de long et atteint une profondeur de 142m, ce qui en fait le plus long lac des Rocheuses.

Des populations aborigènes habitent les alentours de lac depuis plus de 10,000 ans. La région est riche en animaux sauvages (cerfs, daims, chèvres de montagne, ours) et les pierres du terrain montagneux permettant la confection d’armes de chasse.

Des barrages furent construits en 1912, 1922 et 1941 afin de fournir la ville en électricité. Le barrage le plus récent fit monter les eaux de 30m et submergea le village de Minnewanka Landing qui existait depuis 1988. La présence de ce village et d’autres vestiges engloutis explique la popularité du lac auprès des plongeurs.