Thoughts on retention ponds??????

[DenverFurKiddos]

Hi all!  Winston and Champ took me for a wonderful walk today!  At the end of our walk, we entered back into our neighborhood, which is essentially lined by a lake (a.k.a retention pond) on either side.  The boys were so excited to see the water, and before I knew it, they were half-way in!  The lake is easily a couple of acres (maybe 3?) on each side, with a fountain in the middle so that there wasn't any stagnant water and no pond scum or otherwise gross stuff.  Nevertheless, I started to get worried that maybe this wasn't good for them They've both been updated on all their vaccines, getting everything I could that would protect them for our camping expeditions this summer.

Am I being overprotective or should I stay away in the future???

[kathryn]

I have to say that I'm a bad mom and let me two play in the retention pond.  We found a little used place that has a retention pond and I take Kaila and Shiner out there to run off leash and play in the water.  Kaila just learned to swim 2 weeks ago and now tries everytime she enters her water trough in the backyard.  Shiner was thrilled to try and scare big mean stumps in the pond.  So far, no bacteria issues but then again they just had a bacteria problem from playing in nasty rain water in the backyard. 

[Nicole]

Well, the other thing you would want to consider is the presence of cytotoxins produced by cyanobacteria. I've posted about that here before. I'll look for the post.

But, if there isn't any scum or anything, you should be fine.

[Nicole]

Here you go!
http://www.bigpawsonly.com/index.php/topic,9519.0.html

[DenverFurKiddos]

GULP!!!!

Thanks so much for posting that, Nicole!  We will now be enjoying the water from afar!!!