New Jersey is Home To One of the Deadliest Lakes in the Country

Summer is in full swing here in New Jersey and it's important to keep in mind that some rivers, lakes, and quarries are simply not safe to swim in.

Photo byCharlie Lovejoy/Burst

The Pine Barrens are filled with stunning "blue holes." These lakes are most notably a bright turquoise color and are located in the middle of the woods. While they may look pretty tempting, they are actually the most unsafe body of water to swim in throughout the entire state. Keep reading to learn more.

You'll find these lakes in the towns within the Pine Barrens in south-central New Jersey and getting here isn't a particularly easy feat. Hiking trails that lead to these bodies of water typically take about an hour to 3 hours to hike. Still, however, many people find their way into the water during the warm summer months and many have unfortunately lost their lives while doing so.

Photo byMelissa Silverman/Burst

From the outside, this water looks very inviting. But don't let the bright turquoise color fool you. Underneath the inviting surface lurks dangerous and unpredictable cold temperatures, rip currents, and hundreds of years worth of industrial wreckage and abandoned cars.

Most of the blue holes scattered throughout the Pine Barrens are abandoned back-fill quarries. That means that not only are their depths unpredictable, but they are also loosely filled with sand lakebeds that can become quicksand traps that even the most experienced swimmers will find impossible to escape.

Photo byLaura Walker/Burst

Over the years, communities have been struck with tragedy over the loss of life due to swimming in the lake. If you are unsure about whether or not a body of water is safe to swim in, be sure to do your research and beware of any posted signage and lack of lifeguards on duty. A couple of hours in the refreshing water is not worth more than your life.