Spring Safety: Be Careful near Waterways
Issued to: local municipalities and school boards, local conservation authorities, emergency response agencies, health unit, media
Date: March 7, 2019 (10:00 AM)
The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority reminds everyone to stay well back from waterways, ditches, ponds and lakes this time of year.
With spring-like temperatures arriving soon, unsafe ice and slippery banks already exist. The onset of spring will bring rain and melting snow, which will cause the breakup of ice along watercourses and lakes and high stream flows. These hazardous conditions can cause life-threatening injury if a person falls into the extremely cold water.
Conservation authorities across the region remind residents to keep family and pets away from the edge of streams, rivers, ponds and lakes at this time of year. Especially during March Break, it is important to supervise children and help them understand the dangers of playing near creeks and streams. Anglers, canoeists, hikers, hunters and other recreational users need to be aware of the dangerous conditions that could pose a risk to personal safety.
Play it safe and stay well back from waterways as the snow and ice melts. Help make this a safe and enjoyable spring.
The NVCA continues to monitor waterways and will issue flood messages as conditions warrant.
For more information, call your local conservation authority:
- Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (905) 895-1281
- Toronto & Region Conservation Authority (416) 661-6600, 1-888-872-2344
- Conservation Halton (905) 336-1158
- Credit Valley Conservation (905) 670-1615
- Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (905) 579-0411
- Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (905) 885-8173
- Kawartha Conservation (705) 328-2271, 1-800-668-5722
Sheri Steiginga Flood Operations Field Specialist
This Spring Safety Reminder is a general notice issued during spring runoff to remind residents that potential conditions exist that could pose a risk to personal safety or which have the potential to lead to flooding. High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected at this time.
