The likelihood of drowning in open water sites (such as lakes, rivers, and oceans) increases with age (CDC, 2024).
When visiting bodies of water, it’s important to be aware of the different hazards that are present. While on the surface of the water conditions may look safe, below the surface, there could be dangerous currents present.
- Low-Head Dams
Low-head dams are manmade structures in rivers or streams where water flows over the top of the dam. The water flows over the top of the dam, but below the surface, the water falling creates circulating currents that can trap people and objects under the water. In Indiana, there are over 150 low-head dams.
More information and locations of low-head dams: Get Prepared: Low-Head Dams
Safety Tips:
- Stay away from low-head dams – they are almost impossible to escape if you get caught.
- Be aware of low-head dams in the area and always wear personal floatation devices when boating or swimming.
- If someone gets trapped, immediately call 911, but do NOT get into the water to save the person – many dam-related. deaths are from people who were trying to rescue someone.
- Retention Pond Safety
- Retention ponds are for the temporary storage of excess rainfall, while providing a waterfront view for neighborhoods
- These ponds rarely have fencing, which can be a hazard for children with eloping (wandering) behaviors and are attracted to water
- Following rainfall, retention ponds become murkier, and there is less visibility if someone goes into the water
- Rainfall can also create a current in retention ponds (often towards the filtration system)
- During the winter months, these ponds can inconsistently freeze
- Retention ponds should not be used for outdoor sports, like hockey or ice skating
- It takes four inches of solid ice at minimum to hold an adult
- In many places in Indiana, it is not cold enough for enough days for these ponds to freeze completely
- Retention ponds will often have a “safety ledge” in case someone accidentally falls in
- After that, the pond can get deep very quickly
- Children wading in a pond can slip off the safety ledge into deeper water. The bottom is often muddy and slippery. A child who cannot swim may not be able to get out easily
Retention Pond Safety Tips:
- Ensure all signs posted have languages present that meet the needs of those visiting
- Work with local community centers to make sure translations are accurate and make sense
- Often there is faded or hidden/blocked signage present at retention ponds
- Make sure that no plants or trees are blocking the view of these signs
- Report missing or damaged signs at neighborhood retention ponds to the appropriate homeowners’ association or city government agency
- Cold Water Hazards
- Warm air temperature does not always mean that the water temperatures are warm
- Body heat decreases four times faster in cold water than in cold air
- National Park Service has cold water safety videos available to provide education to families
- English and Spanish are available
- ·Exposure to cold water removes heat from the body and can lead to shock
- Signs of shock include changes in breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
- Great Lakes Flag Warning System
- Resources