" two words people...LIFE VESTS! "

" somthing is wrong at that lake... makes me feel like there is a monster there.. "

" Has anyone here been swimming in the lake? I'd like to know if it felt any different from any other time. These incidents are close to each other enough to think there is a good reason why so many people are drowning/near drowning in the lake. Or are people just being recklessly going in the water? "

" Most people overestimate their swimming ability. I doubt most people, unless they were competitive swimmers in school, could swim more than 150 feet without resting. Add to that alcohol, heat, and cold water...and you get 3 drownings in 4 days. "

" Need to be careful out there. Hope she gets better soon. "

" loulou, its not a Monster. The lake is just taking back what its lost in the past. "LIVES" Doesn't anyone know the history of the lake? It's not a vengefull lake but I can tell you from experience I nearly drowned in the lake in just 6ft of water about 20yards from shore. There's a force within the lake that overcomes the human soul and devours your life. "

" Is there a freakin lake monster in there or what?? "

" Hmm, recent full moon affecting water? Or monster? Yeah, monster. "

" my family boats and swims in that lake every summer, since our girls were 3 and 4. The one rule we have is, wearing life vests. It is fun to float in the vest, and very relaxing. I wish people would see the value of investing forty dollars for a cheap vest - they sell them at every department store in sporting goods. What a waste to lose a life, which could have been so easily saved. By the way, even a couple of those cheap noodles can keep a person afloat for a while. "

" I go to he lake every summer. One year my friend wanted me to swim across to the other island, and I did it, however I know I am not a strong swimmer. Its a good thing I was not drinking. People- the islands are farther than it seems, and add people drinking and swimming and it is no good. I hope everyone can listen to themselves, if you know your not a good swimmer dont try or wear life vest! My prayers to the other two families. "

" Two things to consider:
1. Oak Shores is the only place to go swimming now with so many places being closed.
2. Now this is "strange": this the exact location where in the 1970's, the Zodiac Killer struck and killed the girl student and nearly killed her boyfriend, on that nearby island/peninsula.
I swim at Oak Shores occasionally but stay within the swimming area. Could be bad karma so use your head and be safe. "

" Isnt that the location of that Indian burial ground that got covered up when they made the lake???? "

" NOW you are all getting the picture.......that lake is dangerous. No explanations....
Life jackets will keep you from drowning......but it does seem that if you go into the water without one....you are fair game. Strong swimmers or not!
These last 3 young people falling victim to the Lake...... from what we have been told.....were not drinking.
Don't swim in that lake people. There IS something wrong with the whole big picture of it all. "

" Due to the recent DEATHS as well as many other - it is beyond me why they don't close of that portion of the lake! At what number do they finally close that part off or do an investigation into WHY people are drowing THERE! Good lord. "

" Haunted Lake? Seriously? "

" Oh dear the poor lady died too... I think what we have going on here is that people are seriously underestimating the cardiovascular strength required to swim out far or swim for long periods of time... perhaps as a result of feeling so lightweight in the water we incorrectly think ourselves fitter than we really are? I mean no disrespect; I am working on increasing my own cardio strength currently and have a long way to go. No swimming to the islands for me.

Are there signs warning of the dangers of swimming out to the islands? "

" Oh my god...... Indian burial ground? Zodiac killings in that area? Lake monsters? Give me a break!!!! Bottom line is all three of these people were acting carelessly. As long as people keep swimming in that lake without life vest, there will be more drownings. Put your life vest on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

" Are you all serious. Someone has died. The lake is just as dangerous as any body of water. Whether it be a pool or a lake. It is unfortunate a life jacket was not worn. But where is your sympathy for a life lost and for the family that will no longer have this person in their life. Please stop with the ranting of what a disaster Lake Berryessa is. "

" Are you all serious...someone has lost their lives. Lake Berryessa is just as dangerous as any body of water whether its a pool or a lake. Have some respect for the families that lost their loved ones. It is unfortuante that a life vest was not being worn. But lets stop the ranting on Lake Berryessa as it really has no bearing on the story..they post articles like this to prevent things from happening again. "

" well said, baybgrl2369 "

" Growing up in Napa we were always told of how dangerous that lake is, and that it is haunted. No matter how good of a swimmer you are, in a life jacket or not, you can be pulled under. The lake was made right over an entire community...homes, churches, schools, shops, peoples livelihood. Nobody wanted to leave their home; and some didn't. "

" I have gone swimming in this exact location when preparing for a triathlon..i'm an ok swimmer, but managed to swim to the island and back with four other people. The one thing I did notice about this area is that there is a severe drop off about 30 feet out that might catch people off guard and they freak out. Bottom line, don't drink and swim and don't swimm unless you are a strong swimmer, it takes a lot of cardio strength to swim that distance.
Sad to hear the news of so many deaths in such a short time. Sounds like a lifeguard station is needed on the banks of the one area where people are congregating. "

" Our thoughts and prayers go out to Shannon's Family and Friends. Her Friends are REAL heros for doing CPR on her until help arrived. Not everyone is brave enough, especially on a friend!!
Please have respect for the family and friends that read your posts. Yes.....life jackets should be worn in water where you cannot see the bottom. Yes....people underestimate thier swimming abilities on a regular basis. No matter how many times you've been out on the Lake, you should always use caution. But please remember that these are REAL people with REAL families and friends left behind to grieve for them. People who had no intention of making this visit to the Lake their last one. When Panic sets in....even the strongest of swimmers can lose the ability to reason. The continuous banter about Lake Monsters and Burial Grounds needs to stop! It's plain and simple....if you're on ANY large body of water.....be careful, have fun, and come back and visit us again! "

" Have you never heard the tale of The Hand of Lake Berryessa?


As the finishing touches were being put on Monticello Dam, and the waters were rising, construction crews were working night and day to get the boat ramps laid before the waters got too high. At Markley Cove, a come-along trailer that was being used there and got away from the crew and rolled down the newly laid ramp, catching a worker as it raced out of control toward the waters.

With a huge splash, the trailer hit the water and the worker was pinned in the undercarriage of the rig as it floated out into the cove. The rig sank, dragging the worker to a murky, watery grave. But the worker’s hand lived on, feeding at first on the remnants of lunches left on the shores of the rising lake, later grabbing small animals as they ventured into the waters.

The Hand grew larger and stronger, eventually able to pull unsuspecting people to a watery demise, drawing the life force from each one. Soon, The Hand was able to catch skiers as they frolicked behind speeding boats. The Hand especially favors those who enter the waters without any life preserving attire, for they are easily pulled below the surface, where their life force is quickly snatched away.

A documentary crew once traveled to the lake to research The Hand, traveling out on the waters under the light of a full moon, and using night vision equipment. But the boat was later found abandoned far up Putah Creek, snagged amongst some dead trees in that cove. The crew and their high tech equipment were never seen again. "

" I don't think anything in the lake is any more dangerous, but rather more people are swimming at the lake to beat the heat and because it is relatively cheap entertainment. Whenever I go to Lake Berryessa, I usually go to Oak Shores Recreational Area and swim at Acorn Beach. My routine is two trips out to the big island. I've done this countless times. I am a good swimmer and I know how to relax and float if I get tired. Unfortunately, not everyone knows what to do when they get tired. I like to swim there because I do best in open water; but alas, it is not for everyone. "

" my uncle drowned at this lake about 25 years ago. fortunately someone perfomed cpr on him and he was revived. this lake sounds like a dangerous place to swim. just from reading about all the deaths that occur at this lake (not just the latest 3) makes you wonder why anyone would want to swim there? i think it's haunted!! "

" GOD!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone stop with all the superstitions!!!! You guys need to quit watching so much T.V. "

" Come on folks let's get a grip. The lake is neither sinister or evil. It's people making poor decisions, inexperience etc. Monsters, pa leeez!!! "

" Too many people think they know how to swim but they don't. There is no reason a person should go under even if you get tired. All you have to do is relax and take a deep breath. The air in your body will keep you afloat. When you exhale you will sink. I could stay afloat all day even if my hands were tied up. It's all about breathing properly. Just lay on your back and take breathe. "

" Monsters and demons and spirits, oh my! Come on people let's use a little common sense before we gather a mob and go slay the "beast". If you haven't noticed about 95% of the lake community is no longer there so supervision is poor, plus people go there with alcohol and a free spirit thinking that the swim from shore to the next island isn't that far. I know from personal experience that is a lot farther than it seems. My family, including 2 young children, go to that particular spot at least once a month in the summer and never without vests. Somehow we always seem to miss the monster. "

" When I was a growing up I was told the lake was dangerous to swim in because you could get tangled up in the trees that are still underwater. I wonder if this becomes more of a hazard as the water level goes down. "

" This is sad. Very, very sad. My condolences to the families and to the brave people who attempted to rescue and save the three victims. "

" Sad events... RIP to all 3 who lost their lives. "

" It is tragic that this young woman died at the lake. My condolences to the friends and families. The lake is a wonderful recreation resource - which needs all seven resorts open to accommodate the public needs - don't let Reclamation take these incidents to lock out public use. It is likely that this woman and the others did not have the resources they needed - water and/or food. "

" So sorry to the familys who lost there loved ones, my heart goes out to you all. People who swim at the lake wear the life vest, one never knows if it will be you who struggles out there one day. "