Is it safe to swim in quarry Lake?

Quarries are extremely dangerous places to swim. Steep drop-offs, deep water, sharp rocks, flooded equipment, submerged wire, and industrial waste make swimming risky. Another risk factor is the very cold water. This groundwater inflow can keep the quarry water very cold even in late summer.

Is quarry water clean?

Unexpectedly cold water can cause a swimmer’s muscles to suddenly weaken; it can also cause shock and even hypothermia. Though quarry water is often very clear, submerged quarry stones and abandoned equipment make diving into these quarries extremely dangerous. Several people drown in quarries each year.

Why are quarry lakes blue?

There are generally significant suspended fine solids (rock flour like loess) in quarry water. This would appear milky white in a small amount of water, but in a deep quarry, like those in many images, the effect is to amplify the naturally blue appearance of the water in sunlight.

Why is quarry water so cold?

Quarry water is much colder than rivers, lakes and the sea. Many quarries are so deep that they are fed with water from underground springs or aquifers. As this water originates deep within the ground, it is extremely cold.

Do fish live in quarries?

Without question, old rock quarries and gravel pits offer some of the best bass fishing in the country. Quarry lakes are deep, typically clear, and the best part is that no matter where you live – there’s likely to be one within 20 or 30 miles.

Do quarries have currents?

Slippery slopes, unstable rock ledges, sharp debris on the quarry floor, and strong under currents are just some of the hazards according to a Change.org petition dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of quarries.

Is quarry water Toxic?

Open-pit quarries exist in many rural parts of the world, and they often entice swimmers who don’t have easy access to the sea. Yet quarries are sometimes toxic and even deadly. Local government officials posted signs, warning of the water’s toxicity, but that didn’t deter swimmers.

How deep is the water in a quarry?

Water-filled quarries can be very deep, often 50 ft (15 m) or more, and surprisingly cold, so swimming in quarry lakes is generally not recommended.

Are quarries toxic?

Open-pit quarries exist in many rural parts of the world, and they often entice swimmers who don’t have easy access to the sea. Yet quarries are sometimes toxic and even deadly. A common refrain was that disturbing the loose sediment could make the waters so turbulent that they could suck down unsuspecting swimmers.

How do quarries affect water quality?

A quarry reservoir can become thermal stratification during summer if it is deep enough, and the stratification can lead to oxygen depletion in the bottom waters, and then it may require hypolimnetic oxygenation (aeration) to improve water quality.

Is Quarry water Toxic?

Are there underwater currents in quarries?

There’s not one single element that makes quarries dangerous, but several. Slippery slopes, unstable rock ledges, sharp debris on the quarry floor, and strong under currents are just some of the hazards according to a Change.org petition dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of quarries.

How big is Quarry Lakes regional recreation area?

Of the park’s 471 acres, some 350 acres are the lakes. The first phase of park construction began in 1997, when the Alameda County Water District used grading equipment to flatten the slopes of the quarry pit.

Is there a flood control channel at Quarry Lakes?

ACWD work along the Alameda Creek Flood Control Channel will have temporary impact on recreation along the Alameda Creek Trail and at Quarry Lakes. For more information, visit Fish Passage Project or call (510) 668-4410. Watercraft Owners – Please Help Keep Invasive Mussels Out of Our Water.

Is the beach at Quarry lakes open year round?

The park’s trail network connects to the Alameda Creek Regional Trail, which extends from Niles Canyon westward all the way to Coyote Hills and the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge on San Francisco Bay. The swim complex, including the white sandy beach, restrooms, and lifeguard service, is open year round.

Is it legal to drink alcohol at Quarry Lakes?

Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in Quarry Lakes, except by permit within reservable picnic areas (excluding the Niles reservable site). Call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, for more information or to obtain a picnic reservation and alcohol permit at least three business days in advance.