A cool refreshing dip in one of Iowa's lakes, or tracking down the location of a regional swimming pool are a couple of ways to beat the heat during the dog days of summer. Please note that rivers and streams in Iowa are by nature somewhat dangerous - due to currents, natural occurring hazards, submerged objects, etc. We recommend that you seek out a managed swimming area that will provide a much safer aquatic experience for you. Many areas may be "unsupervised" inasmuch as there are no lifeguards on duty - but at least they are maintained for swimming activity. The are 64 areas in Iowa's county conservation system that have designated swimming as an available activity - enjoy your splashing!