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Open Well Hazards

An open or poorly covered well can be nearly invisible in tall grass, yet it is a serious fall hazard. This guide explains why and what prevention looks like.

Why are open wells so dangerous?

Old wells, including hand-dug wells, can be wide or narrow, deep, and hidden by weeds, boards or rotted covers. A person or animal who steps on a weak cover can fall, and rescue is difficult and dangerous.

Wells can also hold unhealthy air or unstable walls. For these reasons, nobody should climb into or lean far into a well. Treat every uncovered or damaged well as an emergency hazard that needs a professional.

Wells that look sealed can still be weak. A cover that supports a mower today may fail under a child or animal tomorrow. Do not test a cover by stepping or jumping on it.

• Covers can rot or collapse under weight.
• Walls can be unstable.
• Air inside may be unsafe.

How do you find old wells on your property?

Older farms may have wells that nobody remembers. Look for depressions in the ground, old pipes, concrete, stone rings, boards lying flat, and pump remains near former house sites and barns. Ask long-time neighbors, relatives and former owners.

Property records, old photographs and county health departments may help identify them. If you find a suspected well, keep everyone away and mark it. Do not probe it or remove covers to look inside.

• Ask older neighbors and relatives.
• Look near old homesites and barns.
• Mark suspected wells with a visible barrier.

What should you do if you find an open or damaged well?

Keep people and animals away, mark the spot clearly, and contact your county or state health department or the agency that regulates wells. They can explain how to have the well assessed and properly sealed.

Do not fill an old well with trash, brush or soil on your own. Improper filling can damage groundwater and may be against the rules where you live. Rules vary by state, so ask the regulator first.

Write down what you decide and who you spoke with. If the property changes hands, tell the new owners where each well is and what is known about its condition.

• Cordon off the area right away.
• Call the local well regulator or health department.
• Do not fill or cover permanently on your own.

What temporary measures are appropriate?

The simplest temporary measure is keeping people and animals away. A strong, visible barrier, a warning sign and telling everyone on the farm are sensible first steps. Heavy objects placed casually on a weak cover can make things worse by adding weight.

Ask a professional for advice on a secure temporary cover. Because ratings, materials and methods matter, rely on your health department or a licensed contractor for specifics rather than improvising a cover yourself.

• Barricade and sign the area.
• Tell everyone, including children and workers.
• Use professional guidance for any temporary cover.

What if a person or animal falls in?

Call 911 immediately. Do not climb in or lower yourself into the well. Gases and unstable walls can harm rescuers, and rescuers can be hurt. This article does not give rescue instructions; trained responders have the equipment and knowledge.

While waiting, keep others away from the opening, keep quiet enough to listen if you can safely do so, and follow the dispatcher's instructions. For animals, call a large animal rescue resource through your veterinarian or local emergency services rather than going in.

How do you teach children about wells?

Children are naturally curious about holes and pipes. Tell them clearly that wells and well covers are never for play and that a cover can break. Show them where the wells are and why those places are off limits.

Revisit the rule when new children visit. Your extension office or the Progressive Agriculture Foundation can suggest age-appropriate ways to talk about farm hazards.

Some families first learn about a hidden well when something goes wrong. Looking for wells now, before a child plays in the pasture, is the better time. Share the map with relatives who help on the farm.

What does proper closure involve?

Closing an unused well is a regulated job in most places. A licensed professional will know the approved method for your state. Doing it correctly removes the fall hazard and protects the groundwater.

Ask your health department about the process, about licensed contractors, and about any cost-share programs that may exist. Do not assume programs exist or that they are current; check with the official offices.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.