In the vicinity of Richmond, Vermont, you'll find the Huntington River Gorge. It's a beautiful spot—but it's also quite deadly. In the last 40 years, 20 persons (mostly young adults in their 20s and 30s) have lost their lives in the gorge. Those injured while swimming have numbered in the hundreds.

On the surface, the water looks calm and placid, but beneath this attractive scene are strong currents that run swiftly over treacherous waterfalls and whirlpools. Public safety officials have designated the gorge "the singlemost deadly place in the state." Warning signs have been posted by a concerned individual on a side of the gorge, reading: "When the water is high due to rain or snowmelt, especially powerful currents can easily sweep you over the falls and trap you underneath the water."

A debate rages as to what to do with this dangerous place. Some argue for more public information that can properly educate people of its risks. Others are pushing to ban anyone and everyone from visitation. All the while, swimmers continue to be attracted to the scene. One college student attending the University of Vermont—just 14 miles away from the gorge—said she had heard about the beauty of the location and had the desire to see it herself. She commented that people know about the dangers and try their best to be careful.

"We just go swimming in the shallow part," she said. "You can't change the water, and you can't stop people from going in."