Swim Safety

With Lake Pontchartrain’s water quality so greatly improved everyone is encouraged this summer to enjoy our Lake in all of its recreational forms. One of the best ways to do this is to go swimming. Yes, you can swim in the lake again! Before you do, be sure to check out our web page for the most recent water quality information. One rule of thumb is not to swim if it has rained in the last three days. Rainwater carries unhealthy bacteria to the lake. Another important thing to know before you swim is water safety. LPBF has partnered with the American Red Cross to provide safe swimming guidelines that will help us all have a safe and fun swimming summer.

American Red Cross Swimming Rules
-DO NOT get in the water if you do not know how to swim
-Always swim with a buddy.
-Stay out of the water when you are very tired, cold or overheated.
-Follow all swimming rules posted at the swimming area.
-If there is a lifeguard, obey the his/her instructions.
-If you can’t see the bottom or if the water is cloudy, don’t swim there.
-Avoid swimming at night in unlighted areas.
-Do not chew gum or eat while swimming. You could choke.
-Do not push, shove, or run near the water. Horseplay can be dangerous.
-Get out of the water if you see lightning or hear thunder.
-Never swim near a dam or boat ramp.
-Avoid swimming in river currents.
-Be sure you know the surf conditions before you enter the water.
-Observe “DANGER” signs.
-Swim well away from piers, pilings, and diving platforms.
-If you swim out from shore, remember that you will have to swim back. Save enough energy to swim back safely.
-If you are caught in a current, don’t try to fight it or swim against it. You can make it back to shore by swimming gradually away from it.

Where to Swim
Two sites along the lakeshore have the best access for swimming: Pontchartrain Beach on the south shore and Fountainbleau State Park on the north shore. However due to Katrina both these sites are temporarily closed. Click here for site information and directions.

Ashley Marie Kelly Swim Safety Program
In the summer of 2004 and 2005, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation partnered with the American Red Cross, the University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena, Elmwood Fitness Center and the Ashley Marie Kelly Education Foundation to present a Swim Safety Program. The program kicked off at Pontchartrain Beach on June 1, 2004 at a memorial held for Ashley Kelly, a young girl who drowned at Pontchartrain Beach in the summer of 2003. It has been followed by continuing annual events:
· A free swim safety day and four days of free swimming lessons offered to the public.
· Four sessions of swim lessons for children under 5 and their guardians
· A week of free swimming lessons offered to the public in the last week of June.
· Four sessions of swim lessons for children under 5 and their guardians.
The response from the families of our Lake Basin was overwhelming. Thanks to our partners, American Red Cross, University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena, Elmwood Fitness Center and The Ashley Marie Kelly Education Foundation.
This summer due to Katrina the University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena cannot participate but Tulane University will provide their Reily Student Recreation Center pool for the week of free lessons. Call JoAnn at 836-2238 if you would like to register. The dates are July 24-July 28, 2006.

Swimming Advisory
The First “no swimming" sign and advisories were posted in July 1962 along the New Orleans Lakefront due to pollution from sewage. By the late 1980’s the advisories included the entire south shore and also covered the rivers on the north shore.
Currently there is still an advisory (not a ban) on swimming along the south shore of Lake. Sampling indicates that water quality conditions have greatly improved in the intervening decades since the advisories were introduced. Today south shore water quality is almost always suitable for swimming. Water quality is directly relates to rainfall and associated runoff and discharges. If heavy rains occur, we recommend staying out of the water for two to three days.
The story is a bit different on the north shore. The rapid growth has introduced many new sources of pollution into bayous, rivers, and the Lake. The department of Health and Hospitals advises against swimming in the rivers or near the mouth of rivers. We believe people should wait at least three days after a rain on larger rivers like the Tchefuncte and Tangipahoa and should probably not swim in smaller bayous like Bayou Castine and Bayou Lacombe.

If you would like more information, please Contact Us