toolmaan,
I can't answer your question, but it seems to me that that as pond owners we face liability whether we allow someone on the property or not. I have two boys, 10 and 12 yoars old, so of course, they have their friends over to fish, swim, and paddle boat all the time. My first question to all the kids and their parents is "Can you swim?" So far, they all answer "yes".
Rule #1 is the buddy system. No one goes near the pond alone.
Rule #2 is that every paddle boat has to have a life preserver in it at all times.
Of course, your rules will be different as is your pond, your guests ages, etc. But I thought I'd share how I handle it.
By the way, my neighbor just installed a small swimming pool. The county code says he has to put a 6' fence around it. The pool is right next to the 6 acre pond.
Last edited by Jersey; 10/09/07 08:17 PM.
