A 15-year-old girl sustained minor injuries after slipping and falling into the water at the Eno River Rock Quarry recently.

The girl was taken to Duke Hospital in good condition after the fall.

There is a large cliff at the location near the Orange County line where the park continues into Durham County. Visitors have used that cliff to jump into the water for years.

North Carolina Parks and Recreation assistant director Don Reuter reminds Eno River State Park visitors that despite its popularity, the rock quarry is not an approved swimming area.

“It’s not a good idea to go out there for a number of reasons,” says Reuter. “There are concerns about the water quality in there; it’s not tested. Also, there are things under the water that you might not see, and then people also jumping off the sides are putting themselves at risk of injury if they slip or lose footing as they’re trying to jump in.”

According to Reuter, there are six park rangers at the Eno but stopping visitors from swimming in the quarry is advised, not enforced.

“It’s a philosophical thing on a number of fronts,” says Reuter. “First of all, it’s impossible to put a fence around the quarry. It’s a public area; it’s a public park.

“The park belongs to the people that are visiting it.”

There have been two drownings in the quarry over the last 10 years.

Photo via TripAdvisor

Related Stories
‹
Photo Gallery: Tropical Depression Chantal Causes Floods In Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and Chatham County
Here's Chapelboro's photo gallery of flooding and aftermath, featuring images gathered from Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and Chatham County.
New Year's Day Tradition Continues at Eno River
This New Year’s Day people all across the state will head outside to celebrate a tradition that began at Eno River State Park, First Day Hikes. North Carolina State Parks will host guided hikes continuing a tradition that began many years ago on the banks of the Eno River. “Even before Eno River State Park […]
Hydrilla Task Force To Use Herbicide To Battle Invasive Weed In Eno River
State and local officials are launching a pilot program to try to control an invasive weed spreading in the Eno River.
Climate Thursday: Riverkeeper Samantha Krop on Water Quality Testing After Chantal's Floods
Neuse River Basin Riverkeeper Samantha Krop joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Thursday, August 14.
Despite Restored Water Operations, Town of Hillsborough Faces Extensive Costs From Flooding
While the Town of Hillsborough ended its conservation call for water and sewer customers after flooding damaged and contaminated its treatment plants, the road back to normal operations appears to be long for the small town. Historic rain from Tropical Depression Chantal led to flooding levels not seen for decades in Orange County, with parts […]
Hillsborough Under Boil Water Notice, OWASA Responds to Chapel Hill Wastewater Overflows
Flooding from the Eno River led to the Town of Hillsborough issuing a boil water notice for water and sewer customers until further notice.
Deal to Expand Eno River State Park in Hillsborough Made Official; Historic Speedway Added to Park System
After nearly four years of negotiations, Eno River State Park is formally adding more than 205 acres in Hillsborough to its control.
Eno River Association to Host 45th Annual EnoFest in July
The Eno River Association will host its annual EnoFest this summer to celebrate the watershed's history and promote environmental awareness.
Eno River State Park Celebrating 50th Birthday, Opening New Visitor Center This Week
This week marks the 50th anniversary of the first land acquisition for Eno River State Park, which stretches across 4,600 acres in northern Orange and Durham Counties. To celebrate, the park and the Eno River Association are marking the anniversary with daily activities — including raffles, a fundraising challenge and a special event on Friday. […]
On Air Today: 44th Annual Festival For The Eno!
Enofest returns July 1 and 4 with an immersive in-person experience with live music, a juried craft show, food and fun on the river. Filling in for Aaro, AJ chats with Greg Bell, Festival Director for the Eno River Association, about this year's EnoFest!
›