InPrevious article I told you about Lake Erie and its uniqueness and now I will share with you good swimming places in this mystic Lake Erie.
Those who were diligent and attentive during their geography lessons at school may remember thatthe Great Lakes system, located on the border of the United States and Canada, consists of several freshwater lakes, the largest of which are the magnificent five (in descending order of greatness) – Superior (Upper), Huron,Michigan, Erie, Ontario.
Despite the fact that Erie is unclear and shallow , I still like it.
I like Erie lake a lot because it is somehow a ” light” lake, sometimes it can be “playful”with its huge waves and scary at the same time.
Erie reminds me of the sea, indeed it is very similar to the sea, with its beach bars and a lot of resort towns nearby.
When the weather’s good there are many people close to the lake.
There are always people close to Erie so you don’t have a feeling of emptiness and abandonment.
Some people walk along the shore, some can barbecue, and some collect branches turned by waves thrown ashore.
The peak of resort activity is observed in this area in July and August.
Vey often strong winds blow on the lake.
Can You Swim in Lake Erie?
Yes.
Lake Erie is the shallowest and warmest of the five great lakes and therefore it is the most suitable for swimming.
In Erie you can swim for hours without getting out of the water, and it is not like plunging for half a minute into cold lakes and then and jumping out and screaming =)
You can swim, sunbathe on the soft, clean sand, fish from the pier, swim in boats and canoes, admire the panorama of the lake and the old lighthouse.
And if you want urban pleasures, then literally a few minutes from the lake there are some shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
The most popular active entertainment in the high season in this place are kites and windsurfing.
Is Lake Erie Safe to Swim in Summer?
Yes.
It is safe to swim in lake Erie in summer but do not drink water from the lake.
An algal bloom in Lake Erie, the tenth largest freshwater lake in the world, has released microcystin, a potent toxin, into water.
It is easy to get sick if you accidentally swallow water contaminated with microorganisms.
Here are several symptoms of the disease: high fever, muscle and joint pain, vomiting.
Why Can’t You Swim in Lake Erie?
You can swim but not in the “dead zone” that covers up to one third of the lake.
An array of algae blocks sunlight from penetrating the plants on the bottom.
When the algae die, the excess biomass leads to excessive microbial activity.
Microbes absorb oxygen in the lake water, resulting in suffocation of fish and aquatic life.
The resulting “dead zone” covers up to one third of the lake.
Analysis of water samples taken during mass blooms of blue-green algae shows that they can release significant amounts of bad toxin, which is carried by water and air into the environment.
In low concentrations, this algae toxin causes allergic reactions.
Algae can be especially dangerous for old people and young children.
Dangerous toxins released by blue-green algae cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease.
Where Can You Swim in Lake Erie?
Geneva Beach State Park , East Harbor State Park Beach and Sandy Kelly’s Island State Beach.
Geneva State Park is located in Northeast Ohio.
This is a sandy beach and it is the best place to sunbathe and swim on the shores of Lake Erie.
Near the beach there are hiking trails.
Sandy Kelly’s Island State Beach is another popular beach on the shores of Lake Erie.
The Beach is a 100-foot long sandy beach option, it is one of the most pristine and beautiful places to enjoy swimming.
This Beach is a kid-friendly place , it has a shallow bottom and even kayaks are available for rent.
Another good beach where you can swim is located in East Harbor State Park.
The Beach is located near Marblehead.
The length of the beach is 1,500-foot.
This sandy beach attracts thousands of families every year.
There are beach facilities such as a bathhouse with showers and changing rooms.
Many people stay here overnight so they do not need to drive to the beach the next day.
Cedar Point Beach is a good place with children, it is a good place for roller coasters close to Lake Erie.
While the beach itself doesn’t attract people’s attention as much as rollercoasters.
It can be a good place to enjoy Lake Erie Breeze and it is a good place for sand volleyball.
Usually, it is safe to swim in areas with a sandy shore and a bottom without algae.
Swim only in special safe areas for swimming.
Escape Dead Zone of Lake Erie (where an algae blooms) and escape areas where ducks and other birds swim because it can lead to “swimmer’s disease” or “bather’s itch.
The main danger is circaria – parasites that live on the beaks of ducks.
Their larvae penetrate the skin and die there, which causes irritation, dermatitis and severe itching.
As a rule, waterfowl are found in places with long grass.
When is Better Not To Come To the Lake?
Don’t come to Lake Erie in November.
In November, there is the peak of the lake’s fury on the shores of the lake.
The wind is raging at a speed of 32 mph and the temperature drops below zero.
On days like these, most people try to avoid the lake.
