A nuclear storage pool is also called a spent fuel pool. They are used for cooling used fuel assemblies from nuclear reactors, and they are at least 40 feet deep. But with the nuclear stuff at the bottom, I wouldn't even think of swimming in one. You shouldn't, either, because you would probably be arrested. But how dangerous is it? In the latest episode of his What If? series (previously at Neatorama), Randall Munroe collaborated with Henry Reich of MinutePhysics to look into this hypothetical question. You may be surprised at what they learned about nuclear storage pools as they researched this question from a reader. It turns out that people have to go in the water on a pretty regular basis to do their jobs, but they know what they are doing. This video ends with consequences that go beyond being arrested, so maybe you shouldn't consider swimming in spent fuel pool at all. -via Laughing Squid