Adirondack swimming holes can look mighty inviting on a warm spring day. Before you take the plunge, though, take note of conditions that can lead to hidden dangers:
Temperature
Well into May, our mountain lakes and rivers can stay below 50 degrees Fahrenheit—frigid enough to induce cold-water shock, loss of movement, and hypothermia.
Current
The expression about never seeing the same river twice is more than a deep thought to ponder; it’s good advice to recall before entering any moving water. In no time, spring rains can turn a gently babbling brook into a powerful torrent that can overwhelm the strongest swimmers. Consider recent rainfall, even on a sunny day.
Aeration
Waterfall-fed pools can be especially treacherous for swimmers; churning waters mix with air, providing less buoyancy and making it harder to stay afloat.
