Most Dangerous Lakes in the World

Lakes can be considered nature’s gift to the planet. These bodies are known for their beautiful islands, calm waters, sandy beaches and abundant wildlife. What happens when nature’s blessings become a threat to wildlife and humans alike? There are many deadly and dangerous lakes around the globe, ranging from containing radioactive wastes to hot spots for limnic explosions of toxic gases. Some of these lakes are not accessible to the public, but others are well-known tourist destinations that reveal deadly secrets underneath their beauty.

This article will show you the top 8 most dangerous lakes around the globe and tell you why you should stay away from them.

Lake Michigan, USA

Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It has the highest number of drownings per annum among the Great Lakes. This lake is known for its strong undercurrents and high water levels, proving fatal for anyone trying to swim in it. Lake Michigan has an unusual shape, making it more vulnerable to dangerous rip currents. The docks and piers magnify these rip currents. These currents can carry people far away from shore, causing many deaths each year. Because of the rising intensity of the currents and waves, November and October are particularly dangerous. Despite these dangers, Lake Michigan is still a popular vacation spot for many, with increasing deaths each year.

Boiling Lake, Dominica

This is not the kind of lake that you want to swim in. Boiling water in the Boiling Lake on the Caribbean Island Dominica is a bubbling, greyish-blue pool often surrounded by a cloud of steam. It looks almost like a large pot of water boiling and steaming on a stove. The water temperature at the lake’s edges ranges between 180 and 197 degrees F (82 to 92% Celsius). It is so dangerous that no one has been able to measure the temperature in the middle of the lake, where it is boiling. The area has a strong sulfur smell and steamy air. Two hikers fell to their deaths at Boiling lake in 1900 after they were asphyxiated from sudden volcanic gas releases.

Lake Karachay. Russia

Lake Karachay is frequently referred to as one of the most polluted sites.

NASA Jan Rieke (color corrections, borders, and labels). This work is based upon a work that is in the public domain. It has been digitally enhanced or modified. JanRieke, the author of this derivative work, has released it into the public domain. This is applicable worldwide.

The Worldwatch Institute has named Lake Karachay the most polluted place on Earth. It is located in the south Ural Mountains, Russia. The Mayak nuclear waste dumps are responsible for the pollution of Lake Karachay. Lake Karachay is home to an estimated 120 million cubic yards of radioactive waste. The radiation is so deadly that even a 30-minute stay on the lake can expose a person to dangerous radiation levels. This could cause death. People who stand just a few feet from Lake Karachay’s shores are also contaminated by radioactive waste.

Lake Nyos, Cameroon

Lake Nyos is among the three exploding lakes in Africa.

United States Geological Survey. This image is public domain in the United States. It only contains materials originally from the United States Geological Survey (an agency of the United States Department of the Interior). See the official USGS copyright policy for more information.

1986 saw the sudden emission of large amounts of carbon dioxide from Lake Nyos in Cameroon. This cloud suffocated 1,746 people and 3,500 livestock in nearby villages and towns. This was the first case of large-scale asphyxiation due to a natural phenomenon. Another lake that is susceptible to explosion is the one below the lake. A pocket of magma beneath the lake leaches carbon dioxide into the water and transforms it into carbonic acid. Although efforts have been made for future disasters to be avoided, the weakening walls around the lake may collapse quickly, allowing large quantities of carbon dioxide to escape downstream villages.