Can there be an undertow in a lake?

You may have heard about the rip tide or undertow before. These are terms that people commonly use to describe dangerous currents. However, since there are no tides in the Great Lakes (needed to form a rip tide) and currents don't pull a person down under the water (undertow), they are a bit inaccurate.



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Underwater currents can form in lakes, rivers and oceans, and there are many reasons why they happen.

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Even on hot spring days, lakes, ponds, and rivers are still cold and are dangerous for swimmers. Hypothermia can occur quickly in very cold water. Summer – Water that is warm on the surface, may be much colder below. Use caution when swimming and always supervise young children playing in or near the water.

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Know before you go Before you head out, check online to find out if the swim area is currently monitored, is under advisory, or has been closed for health or safety reasons. This is especially important after a heavy rain.

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Undertow is a phenomenon that occurs in bodies of water, including rivers, when waves push water up onto the shore and then that water flows back out to sea, creating a strong current beneath the surface of the water.

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Dangerous currents and breaking waves are common in the Great Lakes region. Rip currents and other currents found near piers are extremely dangerous for swimmers and can lead to drownings.

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Waves on lakes are mostly the result of wind and are called “wind-driven” or “surface” waves. Sure, we suppose a random earthquake could trigger a whitecap or a lake could be big enough for the moon's gravity to pull a little water back and forth but, almost always, the waves you see on lakes are being created by wind.

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Lake Superior is notorious for dangerous waves of a different kind: clusters of rogue waves. These abnormally large waves are colloquially known as “the three sisters” because they appear to travel as a trio, the second and third wave swamping a ship before it recovers from the first battering.

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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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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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Undertows happen when friction at the river's bottom causes currents to slow down. At the water's surface, the current is still moving fast, and the water turns into a corkscrew pattern at the junction of the two currents. The water's swirling motion is severe in a large river like the Mississippi.

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