The Pond
A living piece of the landscape — here's what it is, and isn't.
What the pond is
- Natural and stream-fed. A quiet stream feeds the pond, and the water level rises noticeably after heavy rain.
- A real ecosystem. Fish, frogs, turtles, dragonflies, herons, and plenty of things you won't see. You're a guest in their home, too.
- Spring visitors. Mandarin and mallard ducks pass through, and Canadian geese stop by on their way north. Watch from a distance — they nest nearby and aren't used to people.
- Bigger neighbors. Deer, foxes, and wild turkeys come through regularly, usually at dawn or dusk. Coyotes and black bears are rare but not unheard of. Keep trash secured and don't leave food outside overnight.
- Sometimes a little wild-looking. Expect string algae, duckweed, and pondweed at times — especially in late summer. It's a sign the pond is alive, not a sign something is wrong.
- Tested annually. We have the water tested each year. That's our baseline, not a guarantee — natural water can change between tests.
Please take this seriously
- Use the pond at your own risk. There is no lifeguard, no supervision, and no one close by if something goes wrong.
- It is deep enough to drown in. The bottom drops off. Non-swimmers and weak swimmers should stay out of the water.
- Children need a grown-up within arm's reach. Not "watching from the porch" — next to them, paying attention.
- No swimming after dark, no swimming alone, and no diving or jumping in. You cannot see what's under the surface.
- Don't walk on the ice. Even when it looks solid, thickness varies with stream flow and shade. If you choose to, you're doing so at your own risk.
- If something happens, call 911 first. Then let us know.
Through the seasons
- Spring and after storms — the pond runs higher and murkier. Give it a day or two to settle.
- Summer — warmest and most inviting. Also when algae and weeds are most visible.
- Fall — clear, cold, beautiful. Leaves will cover the surface for a few weeks.
- Deep winter — the pond freezes. In the coldest stretches the ice gets thick enough to walk on, but we don't encourage it. Ice thickness is uneven, and you cannot tell by looking.
The short version
The pond is one of the best parts of this property, and we want you to enjoy it. It is also a natural body of water with depth, wildlife, and weather of its own. By using the pond — swimming, wading, skating, or anything else — you and everyone in your party are accepting that risk. We can't make a wild pond safe; we can only ask you to treat it the way it deserves.
