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DANGERS AND HAZARDS

Understand the Dangers and Hazards of Abandoned Quarries and Mines before entering or swimming.

 

Please share this life saving information. 

SPREAD AWARENESS, STAY OUT, STAY ALIVE​​

Cold Water Shock

  • Sudden immersion of your body in cold quarry water below 59°F (15°C) can cause body cramps, involuntary gasping rapid breathing, PANIC and a racing heartbeat. 
     

  • Gasping underwater may cause WATER TO ENTER THE LUNGS and lead to drowning within minutes.
     

  • Cold water quickly reduces strength, coordination and the ability to swim.
     

  • Quarry water can remain dangerously cold even on hot summer days because of its depth and underground springs.
     

  • Once you enter deep water, there may be nowhere to stand, rest or safely climb out.
     

  • The deeper the water the colder the temperature. Risk of: cold water shock, muscle weakness, disabling cramps, hypothermia, and drowning.

Steep, Underwater Drop-offs

  • Shallow water can suddenly drop to depths of 40 feet or more.

  • Swimmers may slide from the shallows into deep water within inches.

  • Former excavation sites contain submerged ledges, plateaus and steep drop-offs that cannot be seen from the surface.

  • Deeper water is often much colder, increasing the risk of cold water shock.

  • Currents and water movement can make it difficult to return to shore.

Underwater Hazards

  • Sharp rocks and jagged edges can cause serious cuts, head injuries or impalement.

  • Abandoned excavation equipment and machinery gets covered with water after mine closures. 

  • Hidden ledges and machinery may create spaces where a swimmer can become trapped.

  • Submerged vehicles, wires and rusted metal can trap or severely injure swimmers.

  • Vines, aquatic plants, ropes and fishing lines can cause underwater entanglement.

  • Hazards left from mines: rusting equipment, garbage, hazardous debris, exposed quarry minerals, harmful bacteria, toxic algae or unsafe pH levels.

Diving, Jumping, Slipping Off  Ledges

  • Never dive or jump into quarry water when you cannot see what lies beneath the surface.

  • Hidden rocks, machinery and shallow ledges can cause broken bones, spinal injuries, concussion, impalement or death.

  • Danger of hitting sharp rocks or branches on the way down. 

  • Hitting your head leads to high chance of concussion or severe injury

  • Wet rocks, loose gravel and steep slopes can be extremely slippery.​

Recreational Dangers

  • Loose rocks, landslides, mudslides, unstable silt and quicksand-like conditions are dangerous for recreational activities: Hiking, Walking, Children Playing

  • Biking, Motorbikes, ATVs, Quads can also slip or overturn on top of you or you falling right into the cold water.

  • Selfie deaths are on the rise each year, striving to get that perfect shot and falling off the edge.

  • Parties and alcohol consumption impairs judgement in such a dangerous environment. 

  • Most abandoned quarries are on private property, making entry illegal trespassing.

Help Not Readily Available in an Emergency

  • Cell phone service may be limited or unavailable. Not able to call 911. 
     

  • Remote locations are hard to access for first responders, especially with large trucks or at night. Sometimes the location is so hard to reach, the only way is a helicopter rescue. 
     

  • Quarries may be miles away from emergency services, delaying lifesaving assistance.
     

  • An untrained rescue attempt may put someone in danger of becoming victims themselves.
     

  • First responders risk their lives in frigid waters or dangerous locations to save someone and risk being injured themselves. 

Deceptive Appearance

  • Beautiful blue, green or clear water does not mean it is clean or safe.

  • Unusual colors may be caused by limestone, suspended minerals or unsafe water chemistry.

  • Watching others swim can create a false sense of security.

  • Underwater pollution is very unsafe to swim in.

  • Missing signs or fencing may cause visitors to mistake a flooded quarry for a natural pond or lake.

Environmental Impacts

  • Abandoned quarries can leave lasting environmental damage.

  • Polluted runoff may contaminate nearby streams, rivers and groundwater.

  • Mining activities can destroy wildlife habitats, farmland and natural vegetation.

  • Abandoned equipment, waste and disturbed land may continue affecting the environment long after mining has ended.

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