Pond safety

Key takeaways:

• All bodies of water (including retention ponds) located near schools pose significant drowning risks. Administrators need to install fences to deter students from wandering nearby.
• Pond fences should be constructed to discourage climbing and be at least 15 feet from the pond’s edge.
• It’s important to educate both elementary and high school students about the dangers of horseplay near any pond.

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No school would ever leave a filled swimming pool completely accessible to anyone who decided to dive in. The same reasoning should be applied to ponds, which are just as dangerous as—if not more treacherous than—swimming pools.

Ponds are common in industrial parks, residential neighborhoods, public parks and commercial developments. But a pond on school property means the school is likely responsible for managing any risk associated with that pond. At the very least, the school should take steps to deter people from endangering themselves.

Limit access with a fence

The first and most important risk management step is to limit access to the pond with a fence. This fence should:

• Stand at least four feet high above ground surface.
• Be constructed to discourage climbing. This means schools should avoid fences with lateral rails, and they should restrict the openings to less than four inches.
• Have a gate that is locked and only accessible by district personnel.
• Have “No Trespassing” signs installed every 100 feet along the fence, as well as along any access corridors.
• Be at least 15 feet from the pond’s edge. If heavy rainfall leads to high water, it’s important that the fence does not become submerged.
• Have grates on any culvert that children could use to access the pond.

Regulate access to the pond

In some cases (as with environmental education), teachers may want to bring students near the pond to perform research and observation. Before allowing them to do so, schools need to establish policies and procedures for classroom or extracurricular use of the pond.

1. To enter the pond area inside the fence, students should be required to present a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian.
2. There should always be adult supervision inside the fence, at a ratio of no more than 12 students per one adult supervisor.
3. Flotation devices such as life vests are vital. Each student and adult should be equipped with a properly sized flotation device.
4. Any group that enters the pond area needs to be prepared for emergencies. Adults should be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and have a means of external communication, such as a mobile phone or two-way radio. Additionally, they should have a throwable flotation device available in case there is a need for a water rescue. This device should be tied to at least 25 feet of 3/8-inch rope.

Educate students about the dangers of the pond

One might think a pond near an elementary school would pose the greatest risk of drowning. But, in fact, one near a high school could be equally as, or even more, dangerous, since many teenagers tend to be risk-takers.

The key for both age groups is education—both about the realities of the pond (how deep it goes) and the dangers of being reckless near the water’s edge. School leaders should consider incorporating pond safety into beginning-of-the-year orientation curriculum.

Maintain a healthy pond

Drowning isn’t the only potential hazard associated with a pond. There may also be environmental issues that could create problems for the rest of the school property.

• Control the algae that builds up. Consider hiring an outside business that services larger bodies of water to remove algae as it emerges.
• Discourage the breeding of mosquitoes. These pests are less likely to breed when water is moving, so a professionally installed fountain may be the solution to cut down on the mosquito population.

Ponds are a necessity, but often a hazard. If a school has one on its property, it should take steps to carefully control student access.

Check out these articles for more buildings and grounds risk control tips.

How to keep students safe from retention ponds

Q: Why should schools be cautious about ponds?
A: They’re just as dangerous as swimming pools, and schools are responsible for preventing drownings or injuries.

Q: How should schools limit access?
A: Use a four-foot fence with locked gates, “No Trespassing” signs and grates over culverts.

Q: What safety rules apply for class use?
A: Require permission slips, adult supervision, life vests and CPR-trained staff with rescue gear.

Q: How can schools reduce other risks?
A: Educate students, control algae and prevent mosquitoes with water movement or professional help.