There is something about a hot day, a cool body of water, high cliffs and jutting rocks that draw people to actions that are not necessarily in their best interest.

Lake Natoma, in Folsom, is a big draw during the summer. Teens and young adults can be seen all along the body of water swinging from rope swings and jumping off ledges to the water below. Last week the activity proved fatal for one teen.

The body of Cody Isaacson, 16, of Rocklin was recovered Sept. 27 after he dove in from the bluff known as China Wall. Witnesses say he dove into the lake from the 50-foot bluff and never resurfaced.

“It’s an easily accessed area,” said Ted Jackson, Folsom Lake Parks superintendent. “There’s something about a body of water and cliffs that, regardless of height, attract … young boys.”

Isaacson reportedly jumped off the cliff about 50 feet above the water. The terrain is steep and the land juts out toward the water.

“There are a bluff and some outcroppings where the geology of the land is that it doesn’t go straight down,” Jackson said. “You have to run and jump out to avoid meeting with the land prematurely.”

Although park rangers patrol the waterways, it is nearly impossible to stop all the illegal jumping, according to Jackson.

“Unfortunately it’s a chronic problem and is extremely frustrating to our staff,” Jackson said. “We can give out warnings and take down the rope swing, but as soon as we leave the activity will generally start again.”

With rocks below the surface, and an unpredictable water level, jumping into the lake is extremely dangerous.

“It seems like an innocent enough activity on the face, but it’s dangerous,” Jackson said. “We strongly discourage people from engaging in the activity. You may walk away one day and you are just lucky.”