It is noted as the third-worst nuclear disaster in history after Chernobyl and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disasters. The lake was backfilled in 2016-a process that actually began long before, due to the Kyshtym disaster in 1957. In the '90s, radiation levels were so high, the lake could deliver a lethal dose of radiation to humans in just one hour. The soil is still highly radioactive from a depth of 11 feet (3.4 meters). Located south of the Ural Mountains in eastern Russia, this body of water, which was only roughly a mile in size (1.6 km), was badly polluted by nuclear waste from the Chernobyl disaster and the recklessness of a nearby nuclear waste facility, which regularly dumped contaminated waste here. Speaking of pollution, Lake Karachay in Russia is thought to be one of the most polluted places on Earth. In the case of Rio Tinto, the river contains chemolithotrophic organisms, for example, iron-oxidizing bacteria and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (chemolithotrophs derive energy via oxidizing inorganic compounds), which also are responsible for the river's color and general demeanor Lake Karachay, Russia Source: Александр Корчик/Wikimedia However, strange forms of life thrive in the most inhospitable places. Over 5,000 years of mining have contributed to the state of the river. The Rio Tinto River in Spain, Circa 2006 Source: Riotinto2006/WikimediaĪs you might have guessed, human activity is the reason the river is so polluted. If that wasn't bad enough, the water is highly acidic, therefore swimmers and those looking for water recreation should definitely go elsewhere. While beautiful in its own unique way, this locale is heavily polluted by all sorts of iron and other heavy elements, making it one of the last places you'd want to take a drink from. In the case of the Río Tinto River in Spain, you'd probably be right. When you see a river tinged red, like blood, the last thing you'd probably want to do is swim in it. Many divers have died trying to explore it, and others have died merely trying to bring their remains back to the surface. It's not quite so simple either, as the watering hole is filled with silted chambers and passageways. The main cavern is approximately 4,341 feet (1,323 meters) deep, which means it would require a substantial amount of oxygen supply if you wanted to make it to the bottom. The real danger of Jacob's Well lies in its attraction to divers. If you just want to swim and have the skills to stay afloat, you're probably fine. Just by looking at it, you'd never know it has claimed the lives of at least 8 or 9 people over the past couple of years. Jacob's Well is a beautiful and alluring swimming hole located northwest of Wimberley, Texas (about a 45-minute drive from Austin). This may be one of the most unassuming inclusions. Plus, it's literally called "Frying Pan Lake," so there's that. The eruption that created the crater-known as the Mount Tarawera eruption-killed over 100 people in 1886, so it has a pretty grim history as far as humans are concerned. you probably still wouldn't want to dive in: The Lake emits hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. The lake itself is ordinarily just 18 feet (5.5 meters) deep but can go down as far as 60 feet (18 meters) at vents.Įven if it weren't so hot. The lake itself covers more than 400,000 square feet (38,000 square meters). However, Frying Pan Lake is the largest, and is located in a portion of a volcanic crater known as Echo Crater. So hot in fact, it remains heated to temperatures around 113 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit (45 to 55 degrees C), so it's not exactly the most welcoming hot springs in the world. Frying Pan Lake in Waimangu Volcanic Valley Source: Pseudopanax/Wikimedia I mean, with a name like that, who in their right mind would think, "man, this seems like a good place to go for a relaxing swim?" Located in New Zealand ’s Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley, as you might have guessed, this lake gets pretty hot.