HIGH AND COLD WATER ADVISORY 2024
Spring is quickly approaching and with the warmer temperatures coming, people are looking forward to soaking up the rays outdoors.
Although flooding is not forecasted this year, water levels are above average.
Be safe this spring with these tips in mind:
- Assume all water bodies are unsafe at this time.
- The main danger in springtime is of falling into icy cold waters and either making it out and dealing with potential hypothermia or being swept away by fast flowing water or lost under the ice.
- Know that you cannot judge ice strength or depth by appearance alone, or that you can know the depths and currents of the waters below the surface.
- Under the surface, a steady current erodes the ice from the bottom up, melting ice from underneath towards the surface. This results in ice covers that are not uniform in thickness.
- Know that you cannot judge the depth of the ice or the depth of the water below the ice just by looking at its surface. You also cannot know
- Avoid all recreational activities in or around water bodies at this time of year.
- Do not attempt to walk, skate or drive on ice-covered bodies of water. Ice conditions can be uncertain and subject to change quickly.
- Stay away from the edges of all bodies of water, especially children and pets. The banks and shores of rivers, lakes and creeks can become unstable in varying spring conditions making it easy to fall into waters. Clays can also present high risks for anyone around bodies of water in springtime, becoming particularly slippery.
- Rescuing another person or a pet from icy water is dangerous. If you see any that has fallen through the ice, call 9-1-1 for help immediately.
- Talk to your children about safety around waterways and the special attention they need to take during springtime. Identify the dangers they need to be aware of and let them see how respectful you are of the dangers to are talking about.
