Gem of the Rockies

Taken on a hot, mid summer evening just before sunset at Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, British Columbia. Emerald is one of many renowned Canadian glacier feed lakes in Banff, Jasper and Yoho known for their spectacular color. The vivid green color of the water is caused by powdered rock from the glaciers which reflects the blue-green spectrum of sunlight, the rock type and amount in the water causes the color to vary from lake to lake and month to month. It is most spectacular in July and August as the glaciers containing the sediment melt somewhat in the summer heat, in Spring and Autumn the water is clearer.