Mess Lake Warm Springs

Mess Lake Warm Springs, found in an undeveloped region, are characterized by extensive tufa deposits situated near the southeast end of Mess Lake, just outside the park and recreation area. The specific location is centered on UTM grid 880690, with NTS map 104G/7 covering the area. Notably, the main vent is situated close to the eastern side of the tufa benches and approximately 80 meters (260 feet) above the lake's surface.

Historical observations reveal that in 1965, there was a robust flow of warm water emanating from one of the vents. However, during the 1970s, the flow noticeably diminished. By August 1983, the vent and the adjacent pools had almost dried up, with only a faint stream of tepid water trickling from the tufa mounds. Despite the decline in water flow, the main attraction of the location lies in the remarkable tufa deposits. These deposits cover an expansive area exceeding 120 hectares (300 acres), making them one of the most extensive and captivating features in British Columbia.

The tufa mounds and buildups evident at the site indicate the most recent vents. Some of these structures are concentric, ring-shaped mounds and pipes that likely formed due to mineral deposition from geysers.

Geological evidence suggests that these springs and tufa deposits are the result of a volcanic eruption that occurred roughly 1400 years ago, a few kilometers east of the current spring location. It is believed that the cooling lava provided the heat source for the springs, and as the lava gradually cooled over time, so did the springs, leading to their present state.