Takhini Hot Springs
Takhini Hot Springs (Takhini Hotspring) (tɑːkiːniː) is a natural hot springs located just outside the border of Whitehorse, Yukon (28 km (17 mi) from the city centre). It is a locally run business which incorporates two pools at different temperatures and has a campground with over 80 sites. The site has been in operation for more than 100 years and is one of the most popular Yukon tourist attractions.[2]
| Takhini Hot Springs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 60°52′44″N 135°21′33″W[1] | |
| Location | Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, Y1A 7A2 |
| Website | http://www.takhinihotsprings.com |
| Features | |
| Campground and Equinox Rox | |
Water
The hot springs flows from the earth to the surface at a rate of 385 L (85 imp gal; 102 US gal) per minute. The temperature from the source is 46.5 °C (115.7 °F). The pool is divided into two sections: the hot side and the cool side. As the water flows from the source to the hot pool the water cools to 42 °C (108 °F),[3] the cool side is an average of 36 °C (97 °F). Takhini Hot Springs is fortunate to contain no sulphurous odour as is common to most hot springs.[4]
Based on geothermal research, the hot springs water comes from intersecting faults in the earth. Rain water and snow from the mountains go deep into the earth, where the water is heated and the minerals dissolve. The water then returns to the surface and out of the ground in a small crater (the source). It is one of the only hot springs in the world that is unfiltered.[5]
According to tests, it has taken a minimum of 60 years for the water in the pools to come from the ground into the source. During its underground journey to the surface, the water reaches a maximum temperature of 95 °C (203 °F) and then cools down as it rises to the surface and into the source.
History
Takhini Hot Springs has a long history in Yukon. It used to be called Jim Boss' Bathtub, after the famous First Nations Chief whose village was on the marsh, maintained a bathtub there. Used by the First Nations for centuries, the site was known for natural hot water flowing from the ground. In 1902, Wiliam Puckett and A.R. Gordon submitted the original application for the lease of the property; they purchased the land for $2 per acre in 1907.[6] They commercially promoted the springs for their therapeutic value. The first pool was made of wood and canvas and was built in the 1940s for the use of the United States Army while they constructed the Alaska Highway. In 1950 a concrete pool was built and that was later replaced by the existing pool and building in the 1970s. In 2008, many renovations were undertaken to improve the pool's facilities. The facility is constantly being upgraded and improved, particularly following a rezoning of the Yukon area.[7]
It is considered an ideal place to view the Northern Lights.[4]
Mineral content of water:[8]
| Analytical category | Unit | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| pH value | pH units | 6.7 |
| Temperature | °C | 46.2 |
| Total dissolved solids | ppm | 1145 |
| Total hardness as CaCo3 | mg/L | 1770 |
| Calcium (ca) | mg/L | 580 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | mg/L | 78.2 |
| Sodium (Na) | mg/L | 36.5 |
| Potassium (K) | mg/L | 8.7 |
| Silicon (Si) | mg/L | 19.8 |
| Chloride (Cl) | mg/L | 1.5 |
| Fluoride (F) | mg/L | 3.62 |
| Iron (Fe2+) | mg/L | 0.9 |
| Sulfate (SO4) | mg/L | 1740 |
| Total alkalinity (CaCO3) | mg/L | 104 |
Hair freezing competition
The resort holds an annual contest called The International Hair Freezing Contest which started in 2011. The most recent contest, in 2020, received 288 entries for the five category competition. Categories include the Best Male, Best Female, Best Group, Nongshim's People's Choice and Tim Horton's Most Creative.[9] The winner in each category receives CAD$2000 and free hot spring passes. To enter participants have to come to the Takhini Hot Pools between the months of December and March, only on days when the temperature is below −20 °C (−4 °F).[10]
Climate
Takhini River Ranch, a weather station near Takhini Hot Springs, has a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc).
| Climate data for Takhini River Ranch, Yukon (1981-2010): 671 m (2,201 ft) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 9.0 (48.2) |
13.5 (56.3) |
12.5 (54.5) |
22.0 (71.6) |
34.5 (94.1) |
34.5 (94.1) |
32.5 (90.5) |
31.5 (88.7) |
26.0 (78.8) |
22.0 (71.6) |
13.5 (56.3) |
13.0 (55.4) |
34.5 (94.1) |
| Average high °C (°F) | −12.9 (8.8) |
−7.2 (19.0) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
7.2 (45.0) |
14.3 (57.7) |
19.8 (67.6) |
21.2 (70.2) |
19.1 (66.4) |
12.9 (55.2) |
3.7 (38.7) |
−7.1 (19.2) |
−9.0 (15.8) |
5.1 (41.2) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −18.2 (−0.8) |
−14.0 (6.8) |
−7.9 (17.8) |
0.3 (32.5) |
6.9 (44.4) |
11.9 (53.4) |
13.9 (57.0) |
11.7 (53.1) |
6.6 (43.9) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
−11.8 (10.8) |
−14.5 (5.9) |
−1.3 (29.6) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −23.4 (−10.1) |
−20.7 (−5.3) |
−15.3 (4.5) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
3.9 (39.0) |
6.6 (43.9) |
4.3 (39.7) |
0.2 (32.4) |
−5.8 (21.6) |
−16.4 (2.5) |
−20.1 (−4.2) |
−7.8 (17.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −53.0 (−63.4) |
−49.5 (−57.1) |
−44.5 (−48.1) |
−36.5 (−33.7) |
−13.0 (8.6) |
−8.0 (17.6) |
−1.5 (29.3) |
−4.0 (24.8) |
−20.0 (−4.0) |
−36.0 (−32.8) |
−48.0 (−54.4) |
−50.5 (−58.9) |
−53.0 (−63.4) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 14.8 (0.58) |
7.9 (0.31) |
7.6 (0.30) |
3.1 (0.12) |
15.2 (0.60) |
30.6 (1.20) |
39.6 (1.56) |
37.3 (1.47) |
26.8 (1.06) |
17.7 (0.70) |
14.7 (0.58) |
12.3 (0.48) |
227.6 (8.96) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 14.8 (5.8) |
7.9 (3.1) |
7.6 (3.0) |
2.2 (0.9) |
1.1 (0.4) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
2.3 (0.9) |
9.0 (3.5) |
14.6 (5.7) |
12.3 (4.8) |
71.8 (28.1) |
| Source: Environment Canada[11] | |||||||||||||
References
- "Takhini Hotspring". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
- "Takhini Hot Pools". www.viator.com. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- "Takhini Hot Springs". Travel Yukon - Yukon, Canada | Official Tourism Website for the Yukon Territory. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- "Watch the Northern Lights While Soaking in Canadian Hot Springs". Travel + Leisure. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- SAIL (2016-03-04). "Whitehorse, Yukon – Takhini Hot Springs (Day 5)". SAIL. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- "ExploreNorth". www.explorenorth.com. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- "Flurry of construction expected at Takhini Hot Springs this summer". Yukon News. 2019-05-23. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- "Takhini Hot Springs". Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
- "Hair Freezing Contest". hairfreezingcontest.com. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- Cripps, Karla. "Canada's outlandish hair freezing contest offers much-needed laughs". CNN. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- "Takhini River Ranch, Yukon". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 (in English and French). Environment Canada. Retrieved September 2, 2023.