When visiting the state of Tennessee, one of the most popular tourist attractions is Reelfoot Lake, a 15,000-acre lake nestled between the Mississippi River and Tiptonville.
It’s known for its unspoiled nature, beautiful blue waters, and excellent fishing opportunities.
Visitors can rent boats and pontoons to enjoy this gorgeous lake during any season. However, though swimming may seem like an apparent activity to participate in at such a scenic destination, it may surprise you that swimming isn’t possible here, and here’s why.
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Is Reelfoot lake too dangerous to swim in?
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has jurisdiction over Reelfoot Lake, so they regulate swimming and boating. You must check with them if you want to swim in Reelfoot Lake.
According to TWRA’s website: “There are no swimming areas designated on Reelfoot Lake at this time for several reasons, including the high density of crayfish and turtles living there.
The clear water makes visibility poor underwater, where most people would be swimming anyway.
We believe that if people were allowed to enter these areas without a guide or an experienced swimmer, it would be difficult to find their way back out safely due to poor visibility.”
Reelfoot lake is a naturally formed body of water that harbors dangers for swimming.
Reelfoot Lake is a naturally formed body of water that harbors dangers for swimming. It’s located in west Tennessee, and it’s also the largest lake in the state of Tennessee. So why can’t you swim in Reelfoot Lake? Well, there are several reasons this natural lake is off-limits for swimming.
Shallow
First off, Reelfoot Lake is one of the shallowest lakes in the world—and it can get even more external depending on how much rain has fallen recently. The average depth is about two feet deep (60 cm), so if you’re not a strong swimmer or have no experience swimming in shallow waters, then you should avoid Reelfoot Lake altogether because it could be dangerous for your health if something happens while swimming.
Risk of infection
Second, there is a risk of infection due to bacteria being found throughout the lake’s waters because they aren’t cleaned often enough due to lackadaisical maintenance by those who own boats while they’re out having fun with their families over weekends during the summer months when temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit consistently across West Tennessee counties near where this natural body of water sits close enough below ground level so that drainage pipes aren’t needed at all!
Conclusion
Reelfoot lake is a naturally formed body of water that harbors dangers for swimming.
