The Famous Lake That Is Considered One Of The Most Dangerous In America

The Lake of the Ozarks might make you think of Jason Bateman as he navigates the unfamiliar world of money laundering, thanks to the Netflix hit set in this famous Missouri locale. But the area has a long-standing history outside of crime drama and is home to some of the most charming lake towns in America. It has long been a popular vacation spot for those who love water sports. Why not? The beautiful created lake has a surface area of 55,000 acres stretching 92 miles long — that's loads of room to play on.

While it sounds idyllic, there are a lot of bizarre details about the Lake of the Ozarks. Inexplicably, fishers have caught piranhas, even though the fish is not native to Missouri. And at the bottom of the lake is the abandoned town of Linn Creek, which had to be evacuated when the Bagnell Dam was built, causing water levels to rise. Most buildings were destroyed and a new Linn Creek was established nearby on higher ground, but the town's cemetery remains beneath the surface, which has drawn some paranormal interest.

The lore around the Lake of the Ozarks goes far beyond these details, and it's considered one of the most dangerous lakes across the U.S. While most of the world's most dangerous places to swim earn their frightening reputation because of shark attacks, the Lake of the Ozarks is dangerous for different reasons. Primarily because of its unusual layout, with several blind corners that are of real concern for boaters.

Since it's manufactured, the shape of the lake is unique. It's serpentine in form and has several small fingers that shoot off of the main body of water. This is the crux of the danger. These numerous sharp corners create blind spots for boaters, both those on the main strip and those merging into the lake's larger body. While boaters are supposed to slow down in these areas, not all do, and most instances of injury on the Lake of the Ozarks occur at these intersections.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there were more than 20 reported boating accidents between April 2024 and March 2025, with incidents including "Collision with Watercraft," "Person(s) Impacts Watercraft," and "Towed Watersport Mishap." Fatal incidents on the lake are typically due to drowning. These statistics add to the Lake of the Ozarks being one of the most dangerous in the United States, almost entirely because of boating accidents.

To make matters worse, the Lake of the Ozarks has a big drinking culture. Unfortunately, while drinking and operating a boat is prohibited, this is still very common in the area. So impaired judgment plus blind spots make for a deadly combination.

It's not just boating accidents that make the Lake of the Ozarks dangerous. While less deadly, there are other concerns to keep in mind. For those with a fear of snakes, we've got some bad news. Venomous snakes like timber rattlesnakes, pygmy rattlesnakes, and cottonmouth, copperhead, and massasauga snakes have all been spotted in the Lake of the Ozarks — some of which can bite underwater. While bites are uncommon, knowing what you need to do if you run into a rattlesnake will give you some peace of mind.

Additionally, the Lake of the Ozarks has faced ongoing issues with E. coli, with alarmingly high levels recorded in 2009. Locals speculated that goose droppings were the cause, but it was a leaking septic tank. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources collects weekly water samples to test for E. coli concentration and will share an advisory to its website if the concentration is too high. In June 2024, a public beach at the Lake of the Ozarks was closed after E. coli levels came back a whopping 12 times higher than the safe limit. While E. coli can cause illness, it rarely results in death, and none have been recorded in recent years. So, there's a lot going on in the Lake of the Ozarks, but the most dangerous element comes from boating mishaps.