WINSLOW TOWNSHIP, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Officials in Camden County are urging people not to swim in a lake in Winslow Township after a third person drowned there within a year.
Swimming is prohibited at Penbryn Lake in Winslow Township, but that doesn’t always stop people from taking a dip. Last week, a 27-year-old man drowned, the third accidental drowning victim there in the last year.
Camden County Emergency Management Coordinator Chris Costa said the former quarry has steep slopes that can catch people by surprise.
“Some of the drop-offs happen very rapidly, maybe 30 feet, maybe even more in some spots that we don’t know about,” he said. “If you’re not a strong swimmer, you could find yourself in harm’s way very quickly.”
Two other men, ages 23 and 24, drowned last August. Costa says there are plenty of no swimming signs posted around the lake that people need to take seriously.
“Obviously we don’t want people in the water. There’s a potential there for drowning, especially if you’re not wearing a safety vest or anything like that,” said Costa.
The lake is part of a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection wildlife management area, and DEP officials said they will increase patrol frequency at this site as well as other management areas, to ensure people aren’t swimming. Fishing and kayaking are still allowed.