Spring Safety Message: Be Careful Around Waterways

With warmer weather arriving as we head into March break, Kawartha Conservation is reminding residents, parents and children of the dangers that exist around local streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes during the spring breakup and urges people to keep family and pets away from all waterways.

Our watershed has experienced a winter with extreme cold, an abundance of snow, and more recently, rainfall. Runoff caused by rain and snowmelt over the past weekend resulted in elevated water levels and flows in local rivers and streams. Some streams have spilled over their banks; in other cases, water has accumulated in low-laying areas, road ditches and areas with poor drainage. 

As the snowpack continues melting very slowly over the next few days, water levels are expected to stay elevated. Streamflow velocities are high and water temperatures remain very cold.

The ice cover, where it still remains, is extremely dangerous. In the milder air temperature, it has weakened and become unstable. 

In these circumstances, Kawartha Conservation urges all residents to exercise caution around all bodies of water over the next few weeks and help make this a safe and enjoyable spring. 

Be safe this spring by remembering the following tips:

• Keep family and pets away from all bodies of water
• Supervise children in your care while outdoors 
• Avoid all recreational activities in or around water
• Always stay off closed roads. If you do come near flooded roads or fast-moving water, do not attempt to drive or walk through the current.
• If you live close to the water, move objects such as chairs or benches away from the water’s edge to avoid losing them during the spring high water

Kawartha Conservation will continue monitoring stream conditions and issuing flood messages when necessary. 

For more information, contact your local Conservation Authority.

Kawartha Conservation is a member of the Greater Toronto Area Flood Forecasting and Warning partnership. 

• Kawartha Conservation (705) 328-2271 
• Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (905) 895-1281
• Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (905) 885-8173
• Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (905) 579-0411
• Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (705) 424-1479  
• Toronto & Region Conservation Authority (416) 661-6514
• Credit Valley Conservation (905) 670-1615
• Conservation Halton -  (905) 336-1158