Winter Safety Message: Exercise Caution Near All Waterways
Issued to: local municipalities and school boards, local Conservation Authorities, emergency response agencies, health unit, media, NVCA Board and staff
Date: December 18, 2024
The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) urges residents and visitors to exercise caution and keep family and pets away from the edges of all waterways and water bodies. Streams, rivers, ponds and lakes are extremely dangerous at this time of year as streambanks are slippery and unstable and the water is cold.
While temperatures have declined since November’s unseasonably warm days, we are experiencing periodic freeze-thaw cycles, causing recurrent melting of accumulated snow and ice cover. The melted ice and snow cause higher water levels, faster flowing water in waterways, potentially creating very hazardous conditions.
This year more than ever, we want to remind all nature seekers to be extremely cautious when outside this winter.
Be safe this winter and remember the following tips:
- Keep family and pets away from all bodies of water
- Avoid all recreational activities in or around water
- Only use trails at your local parks and conservation areas for winter outdoor activities, and only when they are maintained
- Follow staff instructions and signage throughout NVCA conservation areas For more information, contact your local Conservation Authority.
- Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority: (905) 895-1281
- Toronto & Region Conservation Authority: (416) 661-6514
- 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
- Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority: (705) 424-1479
- Kawartha Conservation: (705) 328-2271
For more information about our parks, visit nvca.on.ca for the latest updates.
Jared Robertson
Flood Operations Specialist, 705-424-1479 ext.287
jrobertson@nvca.on.ca
This Winter Safety Reminder is a general notice issued to remind residents that potential conditions exist that could pose a risk to personal safety. High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for recreational users. Flooding is not expected at this time.