Comments on: Lake Merritt Monster

By: RockerEm

RockerEm — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 09:31:28 +0000

Anything is possible but in this case I sure do lean more towards this being a big hoax.

By: shill

shill — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 17:44:33 +0000

Funny, NCRYPTID, me too! This is another example of the tourist trap angle that seems to be becoming more common. I mentioned it in my review of Lake Monster Mysteries. This sounds like exactly that. Sad. It sounds like a great place to protect on its own merits, not a made-up gimmick.

By: NCRYPTID

NCRYPTID — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 04:45:07 +0000

I always seem to have issues with reports of “glowing red eyes”.

By: chetvaldes

chetvaldes — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 03:47:04 +0000

FYI,
the lake is connected to the bay through an underground canal and automatic control gates that open during high tides to allow some circulation of ‘fresh’ salt water, but close to prevent the lake from becoming an unsightly mud hole during low or minus tides. Thus it is closer to being a lagoon than a lake.

By: jhw1701

jhw1701 — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 21:49:59 +0000

I’ve lived just outside Oakland my entire life and there have been a few infrequent stories people claiming something is in the water. But as SanFranSquatcher points out the lake connects to the bay so a leopard shark or seal may wander in from time to time and confuse someone who doesn’t know any better. The only interesting story I’ve ever heard was from sometime in the early 80’s, or maybe late 70’s, about a swimmer who disappeared in the lake and was never found.

By: SanFranSquatcher

SanFranSquatcher — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 17:05:41 +0000

1) I lived next to (1 block from) Lake Merritt for 7 years up until about 1 year ago. I walked around it often & have spent many hours observing the lake & it’s fauna. I have watched flocks of brown pelicans dive for fish. I have watched cormorants chase fish through the shallow waters. I have even seen salmon in the lake (which connects directly to the bay.) A few years ago, sharks were reported in Lake Merritt, which are hardly monsters.

2) The water of Lake Merritt is NOT murky, except after storms, when all the turbulence of the water from the storm drains have stirred things up.

3) The lake is actively used by the public for boating. It’s a great place to learn to sail. They also have very active rowing clubs, as well as occasional big events.

4) Lake Merritt is also not very deep. How do we know it’s not deep? Well, for several years, there has been a Gondola business on the lake. Gondolas, as boats propelled by use of pushing long poles in the bottom of the lake.

I think we can safely put this silly story to bed.

By: mystery_man

mystery_man — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:00:52 +0000

This lake is not by any means remote and out of the way. This is a pretty populated area and I just cannot see how a creature with “glowing red eyes” and “a horned head” could be staying hidden for so long. Especially a breeding population which is what would have to be the case unless this thing has been lurking for 138 years. I think it would be a better use of energy to focus on saving the waterfowl that live here rather than to rally for protection of a very unlikely underwater monster.

By: mark z

mark z — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 15:24:04 +0000

can it be? maybe, maybe not, no evidence? no picture, just hype?

By: busterggi

busterggi — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:33:44 +0000

Sounds as though Mr. Bailey used to work for the Johor Tourist Bureau.

If there is something cryptid in Lake Merritt there’s a dearth of reports, I’ve never heard of it before.