Medicine Lake

Medicine Lake is a unique lake located in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. It is approximately 7 km long and is a relatively shallow lake. The lake is part of the Maligne Valley watershed and is mainly glacial fed. During the summer, glacier melt waters flood the lake, sometimes overflowing it, while in fall and winter, the lake disappears, becoming a mudflat with scattered pools of water connected by a stream. The lake's water drains through sinkholes in the bottom, flowing through a cave system formed in the slightly soluble limestone rock, and surfaces again in the area of Maligne Canyon 16 kilometers downstream. This phenomenon makes Medicine Lake a fascinating place to visit, especially for families with children who can enjoy swimming, paddling, and fishing during the summer months. The lake is also home to a healthy population of rainbow trout and brook trout, making it a great spot for fly fishing. Additionally, the surrounding area is abundant with wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears, mule deer, caribou, wolves, moose, and mountain sheep, as well as bald eagles and osprey