Geothermal hot spot at the Valemount marina.
Geothermal hot spot at the Valemount marina.

Photo and caption by Korie Marshall

A spot has been noticeable near the bottom of the boat launch ramps at the Valemount Marina since the ice froze a few weeks ago and has been getting bigger as the water level in Kinbasket Reservoir drops. It is open water, about a meter wide on Jan. 10th, and appears to be slightly bubbling. That despite temperatures well below freezing and well over eight inches of ice on the reservoir. Is it a sign of a usable geothermal heat source?