Popular Lake in Idaho Has Dangerously High Levels of Heavy Metals

Idaho is full of beautiful lakes and people come from all around the world to visit them.

But among the beautiful Idaho lakes are a number of lakes that are better enjoyed from a distance.

The Most Disgusting and Toxic Lakes in Idaho

The list below focuses on the Idaho lakes that you should stay away from, but don’t let that deter you from all Idaho lakes. The majority of them are amazing and deserve your attention.

It’s also worth noting that sometimes it depends on the time of year whether the lake is something you should visit and swim in.

Murtaugh Lake in Southern Idaho is an example of one that is normally fine, but right now it is being described as ‘a toxic stew.’ This happens to many of the lakes in Idaho when the temperatures warm up and the algae starts blooming, making the water toxic.

Another lake that is loved by visitors, but I would never swim in, is Dierkes Lake in Twin Falls. I’ll kayak in the water, but it has a stagnant feel (and smell), is usually more goose poop than actual water, and is always extremely murky. I prefer swimming in water where I can see more than an inch under the surface.

READ MORE: Idaho Lake No Longer Safe For Women and Children

Yet, as gross as those lakes can be, they aren’t the worst one in Idaho. That honor goes to a popular lake further north.

Lake Coeur d’Alene has been named one of the best lakes in the United States while also having the honor of being one of the most toxic due to deposits of lead, cadmium, zinc, and other toxic chemicals and heavy metals due to mining efforts in the area.

There was even a study released 2 years ago stating that the heavy metal levels in the water in the South Fork and mainstream Coeur d’Alene River are 'at concentrations harmful to people and animals.’ The report even goes as far as saying that visitors should avoid digging in the shore or riverbank and shouldn’t eat at the beach.

That being said, people still love Lake Coeur d’Alene and the DEQ has been working to clean the water and area to make it safer for visitors.

Even with toxic levels of heavy metals, it’s still better than the lake in Montana (Berkeley Pit) that allegedly killed a flock of geese that landed in the water.