Comment Re: The area IS dangerous. (Score 1) 409
Yes, that problem is rather distant - but it exists; while the lake would be above the water flood levels, its bottom may above the river drough levels. And for it to drop to minimal levels all it needs is one of the berms damaged (e.g. by floodwater of the river, or even lack of maintenance combined with water animals - beavers, copyus etc.) The water escaping from the lake will be plenty enough to create a breach that will drain the lake to outer water levels, and then a couple of weeks of drough is enough to remove the rest of water.
Still, that's an unlikely disaster scenario of criminal negligence. As long as people are aware of the risk, the berms are maintained and the pumps refill the lake, this is all non-issue. Don't let that happen and it won't happen, just another point on the lengthy checklist. If the power plant is shut down, the lake will likely overgrow with water plants and eventually the radioactive layer will be permanently sealed under a layer of peat. May take a couple decades until the problem ceases to require "maintenance", but until then, just that basic maintenance is what is needed to keep it in check.