Nature is capable of creating truly beautiful and mysterious places. Previously, such places were given a mystical color. IN modern world most of the “mystical” explanations have been destroyed by science. The Factinteres online magazine has collected for you the 8 most dangerous bodies of water that are best avoided.
Boiling Lake, Dominican Republic
This lake in the Dominican Republic could become a popular thermal resort. However, the water temperature is around 90 degrees Celsius. It becomes obvious why you can't swim here. Moreover, the authorities prohibit even approaching this body of water. The fact is that periodically a mixture of lava and boiling water bursts out from the depths of the reservoir. It looks beautiful, but it is not recommended to be near it.
Rio Tinto, Spain
The Rio Tinto River has a beautiful red color of water. However, this beauty is dangerous for humans. The fact is that the redness of the water occurs due to the high concentration of iron and copper. The concentration is so high that not a single species of fish can be found in the river.
The appearance of the red tint of the water is explained by mining operations near the river. Mining began in this area more than 100 years ago. During this time, the river has become very dirty, and it is now forbidden to even approach it.
Chitarium, Indonesia
The Citarum River was an ordinary river. At one time, the river began to be used for industrial purposes, agriculture, and water supply. All this brought the river to the point where it became a real garbage dump. Samples from this river are surprising, because... the level of pollution is very high. By the way, more than 5 million people live in the river bed.
Kivu, Africa
The Kifu River looks very beautiful. She is a beautiful blue color. However, this beauty is deceptive and poses a danger to humans. This is because there is a lot of carbon dioxide and methane under the water column. Everything would be fine if the lake were not located in an area of volcanic activity. This means that a very strong explosion could occur at any moment. A similar thing happened before, when as a result of volcanic activity the lake boiled and all the living creatures were simply cooked.
Karachay, Russia
This river was not originally dangerous. However, in October 1951, liquid radioactive waste began to be buried in this place. By now, a lot of waste has accumulated and the groundwater has become polluted.
Potomac, USA
The Potomac River has been dangerous to humans from the very beginning. The fact is that there are very strong undercurrents here. Every year, several dozen water extreme sports enthusiasts who want to conquer this river become victims of the Potomac River.
Tualatin River, USA
This river is mesmerizing with its bright green color. However, this color comes from algae, which is deadly to animals. For humans, this river poses a slightly less danger, but death is quite possible. At best, the person will feel weak and have diarrhea. In the worst case scenario, paralysis or death. Hundreds of animals die in this river every year.
Jacob's Well, USA
Thousands of divers from all over the world come here every year. The winding tunnels of the cave attract many divers who love extreme sports. However, these tunnels are not only beautiful, but also very dangerous. About 10 people have already become victims of Jacob's Well.
There are few things as fresh and soothing as the clear water of a lake. Beautiful lakes delight and beckon, and the thrill of diving into deep, calm water is incomparable to anything in the world. But just as there are many beautiful, seductive gifts of nature in the world, there are just as many lakes that pose a mortal danger. This danger lies in creatures hiding in the depths, in poisonous gases and radiation, and other harmful factors. Sometimes such lakes appear due to human fault, but often they are the result of the work of Mother Nature. I present to you a selection of the most dangerous lakes in the world.
Boiling Lake
The name speaks for itself. Located in Dominica, beautiful Caribbean island, this lake is actually the second largest natural hot spring on the ground. The temperature of the water in the boiling lake reaches 90 degrees Celsius and there is hardly anyone who wants to test the temperature of the source on their own skin. Just look at the photographs and it becomes clear that the water here is practically boiling. The temperature cannot be regulated because it is the result of a crack in the bottom of the lake through which hot lava erupts.
Lake Powell
Despite its common name (Horseshoe), located near the town of Mammoth Lakes, Lake Powell is a terrifying killer. The city of Mammoth Lakes was built on top of active volcano, and this is not the best location. However, for many years the lake was considered safe. But about 20 years ago, the trees around Horseshoe suddenly began to dry out and die. After ruling out all possible diseases, scientists decided that the trees were being suffocated by excessive levels of carbon dioxide slowly seeping through the ground from underground chambers of cooling magma. In 2006, three tourists took refuge in a cave near the lake and suffocated from carbon dioxide.
Lake Karachay
Located in Russia's beautiful Ural Mountains, this deep blue lake is one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the world. During a secret government project, the lake was used as a dump site for radioactive waste for many years beginning in 1951. This place is so toxic that a 5-minute visit can make a person sick, and a longer visit of an hour is guaranteed to be fatal. During a drought in 1961, the wind carried toxic dust that affected 500,000 people - a tragedy comparable to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. It is definitely one of the most polluted places on Earth.
Lake Kivu
This lake lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, with large layers of carbon dioxide at the base of the volcanic rock, as well as 55 billion cubic meters of methane at the bottom. This explosive combination makes Lake Kivu the deadliest of the world's three explosive lakes. Any earthquake or volcanic activity could pose a lethal threat to the 2 million people living in this region. They can die from both methane explosions and carbon dioxide suffocation.
Lake Michigan
Of the five Great Lakes on the border of Canada and the United States, Lake Michigan is the deadliest. The warm, attractive lake is a popular holiday destination for many tourists, despite its dangerous underwater currents, which claim at least several lives every year. The shape of Lake Michigan makes it particularly susceptible to dangerous currents that arise spontaneously and abruptly. The lake becomes more dangerous in the fall, October and November, when sudden and significant changes in water and air temperatures occur. The height of the waves can reach several meters.
Mono Lake
One of the most developed ecosystems in the world, Mono Lake is located in the county of the same name in California. This ancient salt lake has no fish, but trillions of bacteria and small algae thrive in its unique waters. Up until 1941 this is amazing beautiful lake was healthy and strong. But Los Angeles, which was just beginning its giant growth spurt, stepped in. The city drained the tributaries of the lake, which began to dry up. This is a scandalous destruction natural resources continued for almost 50 years and when it was stopped in 1990, Mono Lake had already lost half its volume and its salinity had doubled. Mono has become a toxic alkaline lake filled with carbonates, chlorides and sulfates. Los Angeles has decided to correct its mistake, but the restoration project will take decades.
Lake Manun
Located in the Oku Volcanic Field in Cameroon, Lake Monoun appears to be a completely normal body of water. But its appearance is deceiving, as it is one of three explosive lakes on earth. In 1984, Monun exploded without warning, releasing a cloud of carbon dioxide and killing 37 people. Twelve of the dead were riding in a truck and stopped to watch the aftermath of the explosion. It was at this moment that the lethal gas did its job.
Lake Nyos
In 1986, Lake Nyos, located just 100 kilometers from Lake Monun, exploded following a magma eruption and released carbon dioxide, converting the water into carbonic acid. As a result of a massive landslide, the lake abruptly released a giant cloud of carbon dioxide, killing thousands of people and animals in local cities and villages. The tragedy was the first known major suffocation caused by a natural event. The lake continues to pose a threat because its natural wall is fragile and even the slightest earthquake can destroy it.
Lake of the Ozarks
While the Lake of the Ozarks may seem like a serene getaway with cool breezes and chirping birds, it's actually quite the opposite. Without any water security, large speeding boats and cruisers zip around the area at high speeds, posing a mortal threat to smaller boats and swimmers. Fatal accidents occur here every year. To make matters worse, E. coli colonies have been found here, partly due to local restaurant dumping wastewater into the lake. Lake of the Ozarks is ranked as the third most dangerous waterway in America, behind Atlantic Ocean and the Colorado River.
The lake is perfect place to have fun with friends and family. Beautiful nature, cool water and fresh air, isn’t this paradise? The lakes listed below are beautiful, but even the most adventurous would not dare to relax on their shores. We have already talked about the incredibly beautiful, but creepy, where animals turn into stone sculptures. Here is our list of the most dangerous lakes that are incredibly deadly. The Horseshoe Lake, located in California, is believed to be the source of dangerous toxic gases that eventually kill nearby trees. The lake is located next to the Mammoth Mountains. In 1989, there was a massive destruction of nearby trees. It was believed that toxic gases that had accumulated beneath the Mammoth Mountains exploded during the earthquake, causing massive loss of trees. The accumulated gases were caused by the presence of lava beneath the Mammoth Mountains. The lake is considered dangerous for humans because it contains excess carbon dioxide. 
Lake Michigan means “Lake of Lakes” as it is found in combination with other lakes in North America and Canada. The word Michigan comes from the word “mishigami”, meaning big water. Lake Michigan is considered deadly and has killed many people due to the strong undercurrent that is impossible to resist. The lake becomes a real monster during October and November. 
Karachaevskoe Lake, also called “Karachaev” is one of the deadliest lakes in the entire world. It is located in Russia between Ural mountains, where mysterious radioactive experiments were carried out. Since 1951, the site has been selected for radioactive and nuclear disposal. The radioactive concentration is so high that the visit can cause damage to internal organs. Being on the lake for an hour can result in a lethal dose of radiation. The waste deposits settle at a depth of only 3.5 meters under the lake. 
Lake Monun is dangerous place in Cameroon. In 1984, an explosion there killed about 37 people in what was initially suspected to be a terrorist attack. Further investigation revealed that the primary cause of death was excess carbon dioxide released at the explosion site. The monstrous lake killed people in the middle of the night with a terrible gas explosion. People living along the lake suffered skin burns and fatal suffocation. 
Rakshastal Lake, located in Tibet, is one of the most beautiful lakes in the entire world. However, due to the high salt content in the lake, it is impossible for any organism to live. Nearby residents consider Rakshastal Lake to be poisonous, as there are no plants or aquatic animals preserved in it. The name “Rakshastal”, which means “darkness”, suits the lake perfectly. 
Lake of the Ozarks is one of the deadliest lakes in the world and the deadliest in the United States. Lake of the Ozarks seems pretty cool compared to other dangerous lakes, but the risk of getting killed here is extremely high. The main reason is the presence of E-Coli bacteria in the lake, which causes food poisoning and other fatal diseases. Bacteria accumulate in the Lake of the Ozarks due to nearby wastewater flowing directly into the lake. 
Lake Nyos is located in the northwestern regions of Cameroon. It is currently an inactive volcanic lake and there is evidence of a huge accumulation of lava here. The lake is deadly because the water is in the form of carbonic acid, which can burn human skin. It caused an unforeseen disaster in 1986 when a cloud of carbon dioxide rose from the lake, suffocating 1,746 people in nearby communities. 
Lake Kivu is a deadly lake that lies on the border of the Democratic Republic of Rwanda and Congo. Lake Kivu is believed to be filled with large quantities of chemical waste, consisting mainly of 65 cubic kilometers of methane and 256 cubic kilometers of carbon dioxide. The site has also been widely used as a radioactive dump site, and the accumulation of this waste can now kill anyone within minutes. 
As the name suggests, Boiling Lake is the most dangerous lake in the world with water temperatures around 82-87 C. The lake is located on the property World Heritage Dominica. Since 1870, there have been many changes in elevation as well as water temperature. However, no one dared to measure the temperature from the center of the lake, since records showed that the epicenter was filled with a large amount of molten lava. There is no direct road to the lake; the nearest road is 13 km away.
Do you want to quit everything you do in this stuffy city and go to warmer climes, to the beach, closer to the water, but there’s no way? We invite you to take a look at our selection - perhaps your desire will disappear.
1. Lake of Death, Italy
On the island of Sicily, famous for the destructive power of Mount Etna and the no less frightening, although not exposed, power of mafia clans, there is one very dangerous attraction. The waters of the Lake of Death, which are essentially not water at all, but concentrated sulfuric acid, are so destructive that this place, according to rumors in Sicily, was used by Cosa Nostra to hide the corpses of their unlucky enemies. In a matter of minutes, the deadly reservoir, fed by two underground springs with H2SO4, destroys any organic matter, leaving only lifeless space around.
2. Rio Tinto River, Spain
The blood-red waters of the Rio Tinto River, which originates in the Spanish province of Huelva and flows through Andalusia, are not only unattractive in appearance. Due to the high concentration of metals coming from copper, silver and gold mines, this body of water has gained fame as one of the most acidic places on Earth. Water, the pH of which fluctuates between 1.7-2.5 and practically corresponds to the acidity of gastric juice, is dangerous for any living creature. The only inhabitants of the “Martian river” are aerobic extremophile bacteria, beloved by scientists, that feed on iron.
3. Lake Black Hole, Russia
Just a few years ago, according to the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, the swampy lake Black Hole, located between Nizhny Novgorod and Dzerzhinsk, should have been covered with sand and leveled to the ground. The reason for such a barbaric attitude towards the reservoir is simple - this object of socialist heritage, saturated with waste from the Plexiglas plant, is recognized as one of the most polluted in the world. The stench emanating from the Black Hole is so strong that it even overcomes the fumes from the fires that engulf Russia on hot summer days, and the liquid filling the lake completely resembles a caustic black tar that sucks in all living things.
4. Yangtze River, China
The third longest river in the world, second only to the Amazon and the Nile in length, surpasses them in another, not at all positive, quality. Due to the fact that 17 thousand Chinese settlements located along the banks of the Yangtze do not have purification systems, all their waste is discharged into the reservoir without filtration. Numerous chemical plants, steelmaking and oil refining complexes, as well as regular transportation dangerous goods. According to the most conservative estimates, the volume of polluted water in China's main waterway reaches 34 billion tons and continues to grow.
5. Lake Karachay, Russia
Until recently, one hour spent on the shores of Lake Karachay in the Urals was enough to meet a painful death due to radiation of 600 roentgens. This is all due to the explosion that occurred at the fissionable materials storage facility at the Mayak plant in 1957 and caused unprecedented pollution of the Techa River and the cascade of its ponds. Although every year the enterprise receives several million rubles to eliminate the consequences of the disaster, groundwater continues to spread deadly radiation. Fortunately, according to recent studies, the situation in the Lake Karachay area is gradually improving.
6. Amazon River, South America
7. Boiling Lake, Dominican Republic
About the lake located near the Valley of Despair in the Dominican national park Morne-Trois-Piton has a bad reputation. If you accidentally plunge here during the dry season, you can easily be boiled alive, repeating the path of the persistent king from The Little Humpbacked Horse. The water temperature in the center of the Boiling Lake, shrouded in thick white steam, reaches 92 ° C and is only suitable for making tea. This body of water has caused so many accidents that even during the rainy season, when the lake becomes relatively cool, swimming here is strictly prohibited.
8. Ganges River, India
The Indian epic "Ramayana" tells that the waters of the sacred Ganges River are endowed with the power to bring the dead back to life and relieve illnesses. Unfortunately, reality is far from myths: main river India is included in the list of the most polluted water bodies in the world. Waste from numerous industries and feces coming from overpopulated cities flow here. Even swimming in the Ganges, where the number of enterobacteria is 120 times higher than normal, leads to infectious diseases and causes the death of thousands of people every year. Adding to the problems hampering the cleansing of the sacred reservoir is the ritual burial of bodies in Varanasi.
9. Onondaga Lake, USA
In the 19th century, Onondaga Lake, located near American Syracuse, was popular place for relax. A century later, the reservoir, which came under the influence of technical “progress,” found itself on the verge of an environmental disaster. In 1901, Onondaga water, saturated with nitrates, phosphates, mercury and pathogenic bacteria from industrial waste, was banned from use in the food industry. In 1940, swimming was vetoed, and in 1970, fishing was vetoed. After the ban on waste emissions, the installation of treatment facilities and the adoption of the law on clean water The situation with the lake is gradually improving, but it will take a very long time for the reservoir to be cleaned.
10. Citarum River, Indonesia
With the advent of progressive technologies, more than half a thousand factories have sprung up along the banks of the once picturesque, and now one of the most polluted rivers in nature, located on the island of Java. The reservoir, which previously served as a source of income for numerous fishermen, has become home to other hunters - scavenger hunters. Dirty water, teeming with bacteria and invisible under a thick layer of household and industrial waste, is still used for drinking and irrigating fields. Scientists predict that in the coming years, the pollution of Citarum will reach a critical level and could lead to the shutdown of the largest hydroelectric power station in Java.
10 creepiest lakes on our planet
Thousands of lost lives, mysterious inhabitants, poisonous waters - this is all about the terrible reservoirs of our planet. Even nice-looking lakes with clear water sometimes pose a great threat to those who decide to swim in them or even settle with a tent on the shore. We have selected the ten most terrible lakes on our planet.
1. Nios (Cameroon)
Lake Nyos can be called a mass killer. It became known throughout the world because of the terrible event that occurred on August 21, 1985. A cloud of asphyxiating gas rose from the lake, killing 1,746 residents of neighboring villages. Along with people, all livestock, birds and even insects died. Scientists from all over the world who arrived at the scene of the tragedy found that the lake was located in the crater of a volcano, which everyone considered to be dormant. Carbon dioxide entered the water through cracks from the bottom. Having accumulated a maximum concentration, the gas began to break out to the surface in huge bubbles. The wind carried the cloud of gas to the settlements, where it destroyed all living things. Scientists say that carbon dioxide continues to flow into the lake and another release can be expected.2. Blue Lake (Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia)
Blue karst abyss in Kabardino-Balkaria. No river flows into the lake from the outside; it is fed by underground springs. The blue color of the lake is due to the high content of hydrogen sulfide in the water. What makes this lake creepy is the fact that no one has been able to figure out its depth. The fact is that the bottom consists of an extensive system of caves. Researchers have still not been able to figure out what the lowest point of this karst lake is. It is believed that under Blue lake The world's largest underwater cave system.
3. Natron (Tanzania)
Lake Natron in Tanzania not only kills its inhabitants, but also mummifies their bodies. On the shores of the lake there are mummified flamingos, small birds, and bats. The creepiest thing is that the victims freeze in natural poses with their heads raised. It was as if they froze for a moment and remained that way forever. The water in the lake is bright red due to the microorganisms living in it, closer to the shore it is already orange, and in some places it is a normal color. The evaporation of the lake scares away large predators, and the absence of natural enemies attracts a huge number of birds and small animals. They live on the banks of the Natron, reproduce, and after death they are mummified. A large amount of hydrogen contained in water and increased alkalinity contribute to the release of soda, salt and lime. They prevent the remains of the inhabitants of the lake from decomposing.
4. Brosno (Tver region, Russia)
Not so far from Moscow, in the Tver region, there is Lake Brosno, in which, according to local residents, an ancient lizard lives. Like the famous Nessie, who gained worldwide fame. As in the case of the inhabitant of the Scottish lake, the Brosno monster was often seen, but no one managed to take a single clear photograph. Research into the reservoir did not lead to anything concrete. Scientists suggest that the reason for the emergence of legends about the ancient monster was the unusually large depth for small lake and decomposition processes at the bottom, which sometimes lead to the formation of huge bubbles of hydrogen sulfide. The escaping gas can easily capsize a small boat, which can be mistaken for a monster attack.
5. Michigan (USA)
Lake Michigan is one of the five great lakes scattered across the United States and Canada. Few people know that this reservoir has destroyed hundreds of lives. No ancient monster was seen here, the water here is far from dead, but nevertheless the lake is very dangerous. It's all about unpredictable undercurrents. They pose a huge risk for those who come to swim on the shores of Michigan, and there are many of them in the warm season. Undercurrents carry people away from the shore, and if a person falls into its power, then it is almost impossible to cope with it. In autumn, the lake becomes especially dangerous. Due to spontaneously occurring currents, huge waves arise on the surface of the water, from which sailors primarily suffer.
6. Dead Lake (Kazakhstan)
A lake with a creepy name is located in Kazakhstan. Locals They have long tried to avoid it, considering the body of water cursed. Anyone here will tell you a few scary stories about the mysterious disappearances of people, and not even necessarily in the lake itself. According to locals, there are countless drowned people at the bottom. Moreover, all the missing are visiting tourists who know nothing about the notoriety Dead Lake. By the way, this name does not come from mysterious disappearances, but because of the unusual properties of water. There is no life in the lake. No fish, no frogs, nothing. In addition, the water remains extremely cold even in the hot season, and the size of the lake does not decrease. And this is at a time when other reservoirs in this region are drying out almost twice as much due to the heat.
7. Lake of Death (Italy)
We know about Sicily thanks to the famous Sicilian mafia and Mount Etna, located on the island. But there is another (no less dangerous) attraction here - the Lake of Death, the water of which contains a high concentration of sulfuric acid. Life here is impossible by definition. Any organism that gets into local water dies within minutes. According to rumors, the Italian mafia used this lake to destroy unwanted people. The bodies of those who rejected the Offer That Cannot Be Refused now form part of the Lake of Death. No one can say whether this is true or not, because the water dissolved all the evidence.
8. Karachay (Russia)
Lake Karachay in the Urals is considered one of the most polluted in the world. Staying on the lake shore for a couple of hours is enough to receive hundreds of roentgens of radiation and die a painful death. The once living lake was destroyed in the fifties, when it began to be used as a storage facility for liquid radioactive waste. Now the water level has dropped significantly, revealing vast contaminated areas of the lake. The state annually allocates large amounts of funds to reduce the level of radiation in the reservoir. They plan to completely fill it up in the coming years, but this does not solve the problem of groundwater contamination.
