Spotted Lake or kłlilx’^w (sometimes written Ktlil’k) is a really interesting phenomenon in a lake just outside of Osoyoos in the Okanagan region of BC, Canada. It is a lake, right next to Highway 3, that looks like it is covered in multicoloured polka dots! In springtime the water covers the entire lake, so you might not be able to see the spots clearly, however later in the year, as water evaporates they become more obvious. Expect this lake to look a bit different every time you visit!

How to reach the Spotted Lake Viewpoint

There is a pull-in right beside Highway 3, 9.5km (6 miles) outside of Osoyoos. Watch out for the large white gate (below) so you don’t miss it.  Visitors are not permitted to go down to the lake without a tour, but you can get a really great view from up here.

How to pronounce kłlilx’^w (or Ktlil’k)

I could not find anything online to show the pronunciation so for now, I asked ChatGPT: “The pronunciation of this word may vary slightly depending on the specific dialect of the local Syilx people, but generally, it is pronounced as “k-thlelth-k” or “k-thlel-k“.

The “k” is pronounced as in “kite”, the “th” is pronounced as in “think”, and the “l” is pronounced with the tongue touching the roof of the mouth behind the teeth. The apostrophe (‘) represents a glottal stop, which is a brief pause or closure of the vocal cords.”

What causes the Spots?

The spots are hundreds of separate smaller pools within the lake. The lake contains very high concentrations of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), calcium and sodium sulphates, as well as traces of other minerals, like silver and titanium. Each summer the lake water evaporates due to toasty temperatures and minimal rainfall. This increases the concentration of the minerals in the water, allowing them to crystalize and form the distinctive circular pools. The colour of each pool depends of the concentrations of the salts and minerals. When we visited, the spots were different shades of blue and green, but I have heard it can be even more rainbow-like with yellows and browns.

If you are wondering it has so many minerals; This region was once covered by an inland sea, which eventually receded, leaving behind deposits of minerals and salts. Over time, volcanic activity and other geological processes uplifted the salty layer, exposing it at the surface.

History of Spotted Lake

Kłlilx’^w has been a sacred place of healing for thousands of years. People would bathe in these minerals to treat a whole range of ailments; From arthritis to skin conditions and digestive problems.

When settlers came to the region, (as is often the case around Canada) the area around the lake was stolen from the Syilx people. During the gold-rush era, prospectors and ranchers descended on the land, clashing with the original inhabitants. In 1877 the Canadian Government forced the Syilx people of Osoyoos to move onto the reserve where they reside today. During the First World War an entrepreneur mined the lake for salts to make explosives. Laborers worked by hand to remove up to a ton of salt from the lake each day. Apparently the colours of kłlilx’^w were far more vivid before this mining. The land was then sold and privately owned by the Ernest Smith Family for 40 years. In 1979, the family attempted to make the lake into a spa. The Osoyoos Indian Band (of course) objected. The land was finally acquired by the Okanagan Nation Alliance (with help from the Federal Government) in 2001.

Can you get up close to Spotted Lake?

Nowadays Spotted Lake is protected as a cultural and ecological treasure. It is not open to the public for bathing. There is a fence around the lake, so it is not normally possible to get up close to the spots. Please respect this sacred site, and refrain from jumping the fence!

The only way to get closer to the lake at the moment is to book a tour via a local Syilx guide via Sẁiẁs Spirit Tours. Or to ask permission from the Okanagan Nation Alliance. The sign mentions in the future they plan to create a path and an information kiosk.

Gorgeous grasslands around the Spotted Lake

The lake is located just outside the South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area. This protects bunchgrass grasslands – one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada. These grasslands are home to many unique plant and animal species, including burrowing owls, sage thrashers, and western rattlesnakes.

If you’d like to explore the beautiful South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area, I recommend visiting Mount Kobau. You can look down and see Spotted Lake. Although from the peak, it looks more like a bright white pond!

Want to learn more?

I’ll share some links if you want to find out more about this amazing site.

• You can see fab drone footage of the lake here.
• Interesting article with information about how the Sylix People use and protect that lake
• Sylix Okanagan Nation’s page about kłlilx’^w
• If you want to learn more about other cultural sites, points of interest, art etc for Sylix People. This is the First Nations map of BC.
• This article is about how kick-ass the Okanagan Nation is these days.

Spotted Lake or kłlilx’^w is an amazing place to visit. Especially when you realize it is right next to the highway, and requires virtually no extra effort if you are driving to Osoyoos. Just, please respect the sanctity of the area. Do not leave any litter or trespass beyond the gate.