FIELD: cooling. SUBSTANCE: purpose: invention is used for cooling circulating water in heat exchange equipment of nuclear and thermal power plants. Substance: cooling pond 1 for nuclear and thermal power plants, containing a protective dam 2 on a river, forming a water body, a guide dam 13 for cooling effluents by evenly distributing the heated water in the area of the water body, includes an additional internal pool 3 for cooled water, containing an additional water cooling system in the cooler body 4, wherein a pump 9 supplying additionally cooled water to the heat exchange equipment 11 of the plant is connected to the outlet of the pool. The water cooling system in the cooler body 4 of the additional pool 3 can be made using a low-temperature chiller 6, the cooling heat exchangers 5 whereof are placed in the water of the cooler body 4, and the chiller 6 is connected to the main power supply network 15 of the nuclear or thermal power plant. The water cooling system in the cooler body 4 of the additional pool 3 can also be made in the form of a unit for layer-by-layer freeze-casting ice at negative temperatures when creating ice storage in part of the pool 3. Additionally, the water cooling system in the cooler body 4 of the additional pool 3 can be made in the form of a unit for cutting ice blocks at negative temperatures in the cooler water body and creating ice storage in part of the pool 3. The water cooling system in the cooler body 4 of the additional pool 3 can also be made in the form of a unit for producing high-melting ice with dissolving methane in water. In order to reduce heat transfer from the surface of the additional pool 3 and preserve the cooled water, a layer of floating heat insulation balls can be placed on the surface thereof. EFFECT: use of the invention can improve the cooling of the heat exchange equipment of nuclear and thermal power plants, reduce capital expenses previously required to create cooling ponds or additional cooling towers for large volumes of water, as well as improve the ecology of water protection zones in the areas adjacent to the nuclear and thermal power plants. 2 cl, 1 dwg.