The Most Common Places for Drownings in Texas (That Aren’t Pools)

It’s something no one wants to think about—a tragedy almost too great to imagine—but sadly, drownings occur with alarming frequency. Every year, hundreds of people in Texas alone die as a result of drowning. According to a 2022 study that looked at data from the 15-year period between 2006 to 2020, there were 5,401 unintentional drowning-related deaths in Texas. Furthermore, the study found that most fatal drownings happened in natural bodies of water, not swimming pools.

According to another study published in Injury Prevention, an online journal for the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention, “Drowning is the third-leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide.” And Texas is notable for its high number of annual drowning deaths.

The study also found that, during a 22-year period from 1999 to 2020:

• There were, on average, 352 drowning deaths per year in Texas
• Nearly 8,000 (7,737) people in Texas died from drowning
• The highest proportion (40%) of fatal drownings occurred in natural bodies of water
• Males were three times more likely to die from drowning than females
• Children aged 1 to 4 had the highest drowning death rate of all age groups

It’s safe to say that, while swimming pools are often a central focus when it comes to drowning accidents—and for good reason, as these are frequently the sites of these tragedies—they are far from the only places where drownings occur.

What Are the Most Common Non-Pool Locations in Texas?

While many drownings and near-drownings happen in backyard swimming pools, private hotel pools, and public pools, Texas is home to numerous natural bodies of water where these devastating events can (and do) occur. Below are some of the most common.

Rivers

In Texas, rivers like the Guadalupe, Brazos, Trinity, and San Marcos are popular for tubing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. However, they are also among the most dangerous places for drowning in Texas.

Strong currents, sudden drop-offs, and submerged obstacles make rivers unpredictable. Alcohol consumption often compounds the risk, particularly in popular boating spots. Access points to these rivers are rarely patrolled or monitored, and safety measures like signage, barriers, or lifeguards are typically absent.

Lakes & Reservoirs

Texas is home to some of the busiest, most popular lakes in the country, including Lake Travis, Lake Conroe, Lake Lewisville, and Lake Livingston. These are favorite destinations for boating, swimming, and watersports, but they also have a sadder side: these lakes consistently rank among the top locations for fatal drownings.

Many of these lakes have crowded marinas, boat traffic, and variable water conditions, yet safety enforcement is often lax. Boating accidents, improper or inconsistent life jacket use, alcohol or drug impairment, limited visibility, and underwater hazards all contribute to tragic drowning accidents, along with a lack of regulation and professional lifeguards.

Gulf Coast Beaches

Beaches along Galveston, South Padre Island, and Corpus Christi are well-known vacation spots, but Gulf waters can be extremely dangerous. Rip currents are a leading cause of drowning, especially for tourists who are unfamiliar with these strong currents. Sudden weather changes, inadequate warning systems, and a shortage of lifeguards all increase the risk and, to make matters worse, overcrowding during peak seasons can overwhelm emergency response capabilities.

Retention Ponds, Fountains, Ditches & Canals

Retention ponds, fountains, and other seemingly benign water features are often found in residential developments, business parks, and near highways. Often unfenced and unmarked, they pose serious risks to children, pets, and unsuspecting pedestrians.

Despite their appearance, these areas can have steep banks, slippery edges, and surprisingly deep water. Government agencies and property owners frequently fail to implement even the most basic safety measures, such as fencing or clear signage, to prevent accidents in or around these water features.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Drowning can affect anyone, but certain groups face a significantly higher risk, especially when basic safety precautions are lacking or when others fail to provide the necessary protections. Understanding who is most vulnerable can help prevent tragedies and inform policy changes, public education, and legal accountability.

According to recent data, those most at risk of fatal drowning include:

• Children and teens, especially those playing unsupervised or near home, are highly vulnerable. Natural water sources often lack barriers, and curious kids can easily slip into a lake, ditch, or canal without anyone noticing. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 64% of fatal drownings in Texas in 2024 were children under three years old.
• Boaters and swimmers who forgo life jackets are at significantly increased risk. Many drownings at lakes and rivers involve victims who might have survived had they been wearing a properly fitted life vest. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that around 85% of people who drown in boating accidents were not wearing life jackets.
• Inexperienced swimmers, particularly those who overestimate their ability or are unaware of changing conditions like sudden drop-offs or strong currents, are frequently involved in drowning incidents. This is especially true in rivers and lakes, where water conditions can change rapidly.
• Tourists and visitors unfamiliar with the layout and dangers of local bodies of water can be caught off guard by rip currents, murky waters, or unmarked hazards. They may also lack access to life-saving gear or information. Beach signage is often inadequate, and language barriers can further complicate awareness.
• Drivers, especially during flash flooding events, can be swept away in as little as six inches of moving water. Many are unaware of how fast water can rise or how strong its force can be, especially in low-lying or poorly drained urban areas. Studies show that Texas far outpaces the rest of the country when it comes to flood-related fatalities.
• Outdoor workers near canals, retention ponds, and waterways may also be at risk if employers fail to provide safety training, barriers, or rescue equipment. Construction, oil and gas, and agriculture are sectors with known exposure to these hazards.
• Individuals under the influence of alcohol or drugs face impaired judgment and slower reaction times, which are leading contributors to drownings across all categories. Alcohol is a factor in nearly 70% of adult drowning deaths associated with water recreation.

Common Causes of Drowning in These Locations

Understanding where drownings happen is only part of the equation. Equally important is understanding why they happen.

Across Texas, a combination of environmental hazards, regulatory gaps, and human factors create conditions where drownings become all too common. While natural water can be inherently risky, many deaths occur because responsible parties fail to take reasonable steps to prevent harm.

Some of the most common contributing factors include:

• Lack of warning signs or barriers: Many lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water are openly accessible with no fencing, signage, or other visual cues to alert people to danger.
• Minimal enforcement of safety regulations: Even where rules exist—such as life jacket requirements or no-swim zones—there’s often little oversight or enforcement by authorities.
• Underfunded or absent public infrastructure: Many communities lack adequate storm drainage, flood control, or safe recreational access points, increasing the risk for both intentional swimmers and unwitting bystanders.
• Alcohol or drug use: Alcohol, drug, and illegal substance use is a leading factor in water-related deaths, especially among adults participating in boating or watersports.
• Employer negligence near water-adjacent job sites: Construction workers, agricultural employees, and others working near water are too often left without training, flotation devices, or rescue protocols.

In many of these cases, drowning is not simply the result of bad luck or personal error. These deaths reflect systemic failures—of safety planning, public investment, or corporate responsibility. When the right precautions are ignored or underfunded, the result is predictable and preventable loss of life.

Preventing Non-Pool Drownings in Texas

While individuals play a role in water safety, the greatest opportunity for meaningful change lies with institutions—government bodies, municipalities, developers, and private organizations that have the authority and resources to create safer environments.

State and local governments must prioritize investments in water safety infrastructure. This means funding proper drainage systems to reduce flood risks in urban areas, enforcing fencing requirements around retention ponds, and mandating clear signage at lakes, rivers, and canals. Public works departments can ensure these safety measures are built into neighborhoods and recreation areas from the beginning, not as an afterthought.

Proactive safety measures are just one piece of the puzzle; enforcement is equally important. Boating safety laws and life jacket requirements exist for a reason, but without proper oversight, they are often ignored. Increased patrols and public awareness campaigns, especially during peak seasons, can improve compliance and save lives.

Private property owners and developers also have a responsibility to address known hazards. Commercial sites near water features should not leave these potential hazards open and unmarked. Construction zones adjacent to canals or reservoirs should implement job-specific water safety protocols, including training and life-saving equipment.

Ultimately, preventing non-pool drownings requires a comprehensive, multi-layered approach, one that treats these deaths not as inevitable accidents but as failures of planning, policy, and oversight that can and must be corrected.

When Negligence Leads to Tragedy

Drowning accidents are not simply the result of chance or personal misjudgment. Too often, they occur because someone in a position of authority or responsibility failed to take necessary precautions. When a water hazard lacks fencing, when warning signs are missing, or when a business profits from recreational water use but neglects basic safety protocols, the consequences can be fatal—and entirely avoidable.

At Arnold & Itkin, we have seen the devastating impact of these tragic incidents firsthand. We’ve stood with families who lost loved ones to drownings that should never have happened. Our mission is simple: to hold negligent parties accountable. We fight for the answers, accountability, and compensation our clients deserve. Because when safety is ignored, lives are at risk, and justice must be pursued.