Public Works and Utilities reminds people, especially children, to exercise safety at all times around frozen ponds or lakes. Ice may appear solid but can be thin around stormwater pipes and over air pockets formed by fluctuating water levels. In this area ice often isn’t sufficiently strong to withstand even a small person’s weight.

Call 911 immediately if someone falls through the ice.

Pierce County owns and maintains more than 440 local and regional stormwater ponds. The county estimates there are about the same number of privately owned ponds.

Pierce County ponds are mostly fenced and posted “No Trespassing,” but many of the private ponds are not fenced or signed. For that reason, private ponds may pose a greater safety hazard to children and others.