They may look like the perfect backyard outdoor skating rink but retention ponds can pose multiple dangers. 

Communications Officer with the City of Winnipeg, Adam Campbell warns that residents are not permitted to skate on retention ponds. During the winter, water from early snowmelt or nearby water main breaks drains into the ponds.

Campbell explains that this winter runoff is often mixed with street salts that can cause the ice to melt and thin quickly. Runoff is released underneath the ice on the ponds, resulting in thinning that is not evident from the surface.

As a result, ice conditions on the ponds can change quickly and without warning, creating an extreme hidden hazard.

In the summertime, the water is potentially toxic to humans and pets if ingested as the water contains pollutants that drain from the street such as gasoline, oils, antifreeze, and street salts.

The body of water also has pollutants from neighbouring lawns and gardens like animal waste, geese droppings, herbicides, and fertilizers.

The ponds sometimes contain a type of naturally occurring algae that can irritate your skin and cause illness if swallowed.