Stay safe around stormwater ponds
Stormwater ponds are not safe for recreation. The ice may look solid, but can break without warning.
Stay off the ice and keep children and pets away year-round.
On this page:
Why stormwater ponds are unsafe
Stormwater ponds are designed for flood control, not recreation. The water is always moving, and may contain road salt and other contaminants.
Stay off the ice. Conditions can change quickly and the ice is never stable.
Avoid these activities around stormwater ponds:
- skating
- swimming
- walking or playing near the edge
Watch our short video on stormwater pond safety (00:46).
How to stay safe
Follow these steps to stay safe year-round:
- stay off stormwater ponds
- obey all safety signs and barriers
- keep children and pets away from pond edges
- teach kids that ponds are for flood control, not play
What stormwater ponds are for
Stormwater ponds collect rain and snowmelt to:
- reduce flooding
- control erosion
- filter pollutants before water reaches creeks and rivers
Learn more about how the city manages stormwater.