Are lakes safer than the ocean?

The ocean, by far. The great lakes don't have waves, sets, currents or tides nearly as strong as the ocean. People drown in the Great Lakes every year because they underestimate the dangers. Some fall off a boat, some get caught in rip currents that pull a person away from shore.



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Lastly, many lakes across the world contain high levels of toxins or bacteria, which can be harmful to those who decide to take a dip. Many lakes in America are perfectly safe for swimmers, but these ones can be particularly hazardous and might warrant a second thought before plunging beneath the surface.

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The Great Lakes are more than capable of generating waves over 10 feet high, despite being smaller than our oceans. This lack in size actually increases the danger over the water. This is because the wave period in the Great Lakes (the time between two wave crests) is much shorter than in the ocean.

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If there is scum or algae visible in the water, it won't be clean enough to swim in. There are also natural hazards to outdoor waters compared with pools, especially in the summer. Blue-green algae is a type of bacteria naturally found in lake ecosystems.

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“For the most part, swimming in lakes and rivers is relatively safe,” Watts said. “However, there are always going to be some pathogens present in these natural bodies of water, and while most may be relatively harmless, there are some that can be negatively impactful.”

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Dispelling the Myth of the Rip Rip currents do not pull people under the water; they pull people away from shore. The rip current is typically the strongest about a foot off of the bottom, which can cause your feet to be knocked out from under you making it feel like something under the water was pulling you.

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Lake Michigan is considered the lake that holds the most deaths among the five Great Lakes in North America. Despite its reputation for powerful undercurrents claiming a minimum of a few lives each year, the warm, welcoming water is a favorite swimming spot for locals and visitors.

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Stay out of the water if Cloudy water can be a warning that there are more germs in the water than normal. Discolored or smelly water could mean there is a harmful algal bloom (HAB) in the water.

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Lake Victoria, Tanzania and Uganda. Lake Victoria is referred to as the world's most dangerous lake. Don't let the calm water fool you; more than 5,000 people die in the waters every year.

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The deepest lake in the UK is Loch Morar, Scotland at 310m depth. This is 80m deeper than Loch Ness, the second deepest lake in the UK and deeper than the height of the Shard, the highest building in London. The largest lake by perimeter length in the UK is Loch Awe, Scotland at 41km.

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Lake Drownings are Especially Common It is easier to drown in freshwater than in saltwater. Lake waters are dark and murky – it harder to spot someone who is drowning. Ice on lakes can be thinner than expected, causing someone to fall through and drown.

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Pollutants from residential, agricultural, and industrial areas reduce water quality. Land development decreases the amount of wildlife habitat. Fish populations have been declining in recent years as a result of these threats and increased fishing pressure.

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All lakes do have bottoms. Some are just way down there.

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