WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is warning people not to use frozen rivers, reservoirs and ponds for on-ice activities such as skating and ice fishing.
Recent warm, wet weather has led to significant runoff and increased water levels and flows in the Grand River watershed, officials stated in a Jan. 2 press release.
GRCA major reservoirs were used to reduce downstream flood impacts and water levels will remain elevated this week as runoff stored in these reservoirs is gradually discharged, officials say.
They warn that ice on rivers and water bodies can be very unsafe.
The runoff and high-water levels have weakened the ice and lifted it away from shorelines. The ice can break easily and should not be used for any winter activity, officials stated.
Higher flows will continue to weaken ice sheets where they have formed.
River systems, reservoirs, and water control structures experience changing water levels and flows that prevent stable ice formation.
While colder temperatures allow for some ice formation, daily changes in temperature, wind, precipitation and underwater currents greatly affect ice conditions. Snow on top of the ice can hide weak spots and slow the ice from freezing properly.
The public is encouraged to exercise extreme caution around all local waterways and is strongly advised to stay off all ice at this time. Parents and caregivers should keep children and pets away from the water and off the ice, officials state.
Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery and, when combined with cold, fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard.
Recreational users near waterways should be aware of the current conditions and exercise additional caution, officials state.
