Should CP extend the swimming ranges in Lake Erie?

99er said:
Boaters often do that instead of docking at the Marnia like they are suppose to do.

Actually don't lump us all into one basket. "STUPID" boaters do that. I frankly would not leave my $100K investment floating about in the lake unattended. Some people never cease to amaze me...

I guess it was my post before that one where I did say I know that all boaters don't disobey rules. I suppose I should have added it to that post too.

I think he meant it happened often, not that all boaters would often do that. If the guy who was on the beach every day for the last couple of summers says it happens a lot, then I'm sure it happens a lot.

Small swiming areas are "safer" than larger ones. If you ever had to pull a struggling swimmer out of the water, you would definalty thankful for smaller area to search and swim through.

How deep is the water out by the far end of the zone? What is the bottom like out there?

Something to remember is that the water level in Lake Erie is down a bit from historic levels (IIRC, I could be wrong about that...) and if the swimming zone has any basis at all in water depth and bottom condition, it may be that the swimming conditions become suddenly less favorable a bit further out. In that case, the reduced water level means a bigger beach and a smaller swimming area.

That said, I am also well aware that the present swimming beach is no where near its historic location at the other end of the park. So the historic demarcation argument may not hold water...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Water levels are just above the lowest point in recent history. On the good side of that is the Great Lakes water level is on the rise for the second year in a row, adding about 4" - 6" depending on which lake. Superior is allready up as are Michigan and Huron (just starting to rise) and that trend will start soon in lake St. Clair. Erie and Ontario will start to rise in another month or so.

Lake levels move in a cycle, roughly about 11 years start to finish. we are 6 years into the current cycle and should see a steady rise in water levels for the next few year.

It will be interesting to see if the swim zones are readjusted in the next few years due to the rise of water levels and decreased beach frontage. I would think the constant wave action on that side of the point would make for decent bottom conditions no matter the water level.

As for zebra mussels, anyone who leaves their boat in year round or even in a slip for the season should be using an anti-fouling bottom paint. Ablative paints work well and are on the cheaper end of bottom paints but need to be reapplied every few seasons.

Are Lampreys abundant in Lake Erie? Also, for those of you who fish \ swim in the lake. Do they attack humans at all?

I haven't read any documented attacks on humans... but I suppose it is possible. They have been found in Lake Erie.

Thanks, I had one run in with one of these in French Creek by my parents old camp in Venango County PA when I was young. It did not bite me, but was a mean looking SOB and scared the crap out of me.(Probably did not bite me because I ran like hell out of the water.)

I have kept marine based eels for years and never had something other than a Green or Tesselata act like that. I do know lampreys are not real eels. Although, they look close enough that many people I talk to think they are the same, if you know what I mean.

RideMan said:
How deep is the water out by the far end of the zone? What is the bottom like out there?

Something to remember is that the water level in Lake Erie is down a bit from historic levels (IIRC, I could be wrong about that...) and if the swimming zone has any basis at all in water depth and bottom condition, it may be that the swimming conditions become suddenly less favorable a bit further out.

The water level at the "deep" end of the zone is only about 3 to 3.5 feet deep. The bottom condition at the CP beach is excellent, just sand, and the slope to deeper water is very gradual.

It is an outstanding swimming beach, which after all is the reason for Cedar Point's development in the first place. In my opinion, water depth and bottom condition is absolutly no basis for the size of the swimming area.

Hell all!

I just got back from our yearly trip to Hotel Breakers (Sat-Mon). I grew up in Ohio and have never missed a trip to Cedar Point even though I am now a Floridian.

So it was super hot the last few days (even for a Floridian) and I took my first dip in Lake Erie. I have never swam in Lake Erie and never thought I would. Until this past weekend.

It was AMAZING!

The water temperature was perfect, there were boats anchored and boaters were swimming, the boundaries and lifeguards are gone- and there were tons of people on the beach swimming and enjoying what made Cedar Point the destination it is.

I just want to encourage all of you to take a dip in Lake Erie before the fall hits. You won't regret it--- I promise. At one point I thought I was in Siesta Key... okay maybe a stretch, but seriously the beach and lake were the highlight of my trip (can't beat the view of the park from the lake either).

Ok- I'm done. Now take your swimming suit to the park next time you're there and GO SWIM!

Parasailing is awesome here too, heading to CP for 7 days today, really
Looking forward to beach time!

Walked to the beach after a morning at Soak City and really enjoyed the lake breezes while my son made sand castles. We also played the life sized jenga which was fun. Its so nice that you can swim pretty much anywhere you want now!

I was curious about this. Does anyone know why the life guards and swim zones have been removed?

Because CP has listened to their guests about they swimming range and how unnecessary it was to restrict guest swimming limits to only, what, 3 feet of water. At least that's what I would assume.

It also reduces the park's liabilities. If something happens to you and there is a lifeguard, the park could be liable, but if it is swim at your own risk, well you knew the risk. Anyway it is not that risky if you are swimming in the vicinity of other competent swimmers.