Radium Hot Springs

Radium Hot Springs, informally and commonly called Radium, is a village of 776 residents situated in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia. The village is named for the hot springs located in the nearby Kootenay National Park. From Banff, Alberta, it is accessible via Highway 93.

For places with similar names, see Radium Springs.
Radium Hot Springs
Village
Village of Radium Hot Springs[1]
Location of Radium Hot Springs in British Columbia
Coordinates: 50°37′03″N 116°04′19″W
Country Canada
Province British Columbia
RegionColumbia Valley/East Kootenay (Canadian Rockies)
Regional districtEast Kootenay
Incorporated1991
Government
 • Governing bodyRadium Town Council
 • MayorClara Reinhardt
Area
 • Land6.34 km2 (2.45 sq mi)
Elevation
808 m (2,651 ft)
Population
 (2016)[2]
 • Total776
 • Density122.4/km2 (317/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Postal code
V0A 1M0
Area code(s)250 / 778 / 236
Highways Hwy 93
Hwy 95
WaterwaysColumbia River
WebsiteRadium Hot Springs

The hot springs were named after the radioactive element when an analysis of the water showed that it contained small traces of radon which is a decay product of radium.[3] The radiation dosage from bathing in the pools is inconsequential; approximately 0.13 millirems (1.3 μSv) from the water for a half-hour bathing, around ten times average background levels. The air concentration of radon is about 23 picocuries (0.85 Bq) per litre which is higher than the level (4 picocuries per litre) at which mitigation is necessary at residences; but is also inconsequential (about 0.7 mrem or 7.0 μSv for a half-hour bathing) from a dose impact perspective.[4]

Geography
Looking north on BC93 / BC95 at Radium Hot Springs

Radium is located 16 km north of the tourist town of Invermere, and 105 km south of Golden, British Columbia. It is located at the junction of Highway 95 and Highway 93, in the Columbia River valley, between the river and Kootenay National Park.

Wildlife in the area includes mule deer, grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

Amenities
The hot-water pool at Radium Hot Springs.

Several golf courses are located nearby, along with 675 hotel and motel rooms.

Kootenay National Park

The southwestern entrance to Kootenay National Park is located immediately east of the village limits, with Highway 93 leading into the park lined with motels.

Hot springs

The hot springs complex itself is located just within the national park and contains two large pools, one with hot water for soaking (usually around the temperature of 39 °C (102 °F), the other a two-thirds Olympic swimming pool that is usually around 29 °C (84 °F). There is also a hot-tub-sized pool that has been dubbed the "Plunge Pool", because the water can be hot – right from the source at 44 °C (111 °F) – or cold, right from a creek running beneath the pools.

References
  1. "British Columbia Regional Districts, Municipalities, Corporate Name, Date of Incorporation and Postal Address" (XLS). British Columbia Ministry of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  2. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (British Columbia)". Statistics Canada. August 28, 2017. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  3. "Radium Hot Springs - Radium, BC". Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  4. "How do I interpret these radon concentration numbers from early hot springs measurements?". Retrieved 2009-08-27.
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