America is known for its stunning lakes and scenery. Thank goodness most of these lakes are public. Swimming, scuba diving, fishing, trekking, etc. are fun here.
Though delightful to explore, some lakes are not as friendly as they appear. Some of these lakes have annual drowning and boat accident deaths. If you want to explore America’s lakes, you need to know its most extreme ones.
Lake Michigan
America has a Great Lake. America’s third-largest lake is Lake Michigan. Not only that. It’s the 6th largest and has greenish fresh water. It’s no surprise the lake is recognized. The 1,600-mile shoreline is the same distance between New York and Cheyenne. Additionally, it may contain 1,180 cubic miles of water.
Lake Michigan is one of the largest and most volumetric lakes in the world. Lake Superior surpasses Lake Michigan in size. The lake’s waters extend beyond Michigan’s borders, which is more intriguing. The lake flows into Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The Straits of Mackinac combine Lake Michigan and Huron.
Can I swim in this Great Lake? Although beautiful, the lake is unsafe to swim in. This lake’s currents should not be entered outside of lifeguarded sections. Some swimmers have drowned and died. The lake’s strong undercurrents and temperature variations don’t help. Unfortunately, 53 people drowned in 2020.
Ozark Lake
The list of extreme American lakes continues beyond Michigan. Between the Ozark Mountains in Missouri lays Lake of the Ozarks. It’s a sight and a tourist draw. Maybe it was purposefully built and improved for tourists. Amazingly, the lake has 1,150 kilometers of shoreline. Unfortunately, Lake Ozark is not as pleasant as it appears. It counts deaths annually. Most deaths are from boat accidents.
Rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths inhabit the lake and its surrounds. One area of the lake is off-limits to swimming but open to fishing. Sometimes the water is unsanitary, so avoid it. Public lakes are frequently infected with E. Coli. Swimming in the lake may be unsafe, even if it has several protected beaches.
Mono Lake
Mono Lake’s stunning vista is hard to resist. California’s 760-millennia-old saline lake. Despite its beauty, this lake is not suitable for extended swims. Why? The lake is just a salty heap in liquid form. At pH 10, the lake is alkaline and can irritate cuts and eyes. Mono Lake is more about floating than swimming due to its high salt content.
Since Mono Lake is saltier than the ocean, no fish live there. Brine shrimp and alkali flies are the only species that live in its salty waters. Due to its stagnancy and lack of outflow, the lake is isolated and filthy. Arsenic concentration has accumulated over time. Do not swim at Mono Lake.
Lake Mead
American scuba divers know Lake Mead well. The underwater sights would impress even first-time scuba divers. Scuba diving is popular at the lake, but its freshwater features are also well known. Lake Mead is home to channel catfish, bluegills, and striped bass.
Though lovely, this lake is one of America’s deadliest. Lake Mead is renowned for annual deaths. From 2006 to 2016, the lake killed 275 people. Lake deaths were estimated at 25 in 2017. Scary, right? An extra reason to be wary when visiting.
Most of the dead drowned in its waters. Toxins from blue-green algae on the lake’s surface also damage swimmers. However, lake deaths are not limited to drowning. Boaters should be careful on this lake. Boat accidents caused many lake deaths.
Lake Erie
On the surface, Lake Erie appears innocuous. It’s famous for being a Great Lake. As the most polluted of the five lakes, it is known. Leeches and algae thrive there, making it notorious. Additionally, it tracks drownings annually. Six individuals died in the lake, yet more swam there. Boating on this lake is safe, although youngsters should be supervised.