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In Yukon’s Boreal Forest, 25 minutes north-west of Whitehorse, Takhini Hot Springs flows out of the Earth’s interior at 385 litres (86 gallons) per minute and 47º Celsius (118º Fahrenheit) year-round. High in calcium, magnesium and iron, the natural mineral springs lacks the sulphurous odour common to many springs.

Based upon our geothermal research, it appears that the hot springs waters result from intersecting faults deep in the earth. Snow and rain water high in the mountains percolate down deep into the earth where they heat up and dissolve minerals. The waters then return to the earth’s surface and percolate out of the ground in a crater near the present-day pools.

Based on tests, the water that returns to the surface has taken a minimum of 60 years to complete its journey. While underground it reaches a maximum temperature of around 95C before cooling on its return to the surface near the present hot pools.

The hot spring water enters the soaking pools at 42º Celsius and cools off to about 36º at the far end of the pool. The water flows through continuously throughout the day. In summer, the pools are open 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, and drained nightly, scrubbed and sanitized, and refilled by mid-day with fresh, mineral-rich natural hot springs water.

A brief history: The hot springs at Takhini have been known and used for centuries. While commercially promoted for its therapeutic value in 1907, the first pool was made of wood and made of canvas. It was built in the 1940’s and used by the U.S.A. army crews constructing the Alaska Highway. A concrete pool was built around 1950 and replaced with the present pool and building around 1970. Extensive renovations were undertaken in 2008 and improvements to the facility continue to this day.

Analytical results for Takhini Hot
Springs geothermal water: