Following record breaking cold in January and February, conservation authorities are reminding watershed residents of dangers near streams, rivers, ponds and lakes as spring gets closer.
Credit Valley Conservation warns in a March 11 press release, “Slippery, unstable stream banks and frigid water temperatures lead to hazardous conditions close to any body of water. This year, it will be especially important to keep family and pets away from the edge of all waterways. Please stay safe near water and help make this an enjoyable spring.”
Environment Canada monitoring shows this past February set a number of cold weather records, including coldest daily temperature and no days above zero in individual cities. The bone-chilling cold has led to widespread ice cover in Greater Toronto Area rivers and streams as well as the Great Lakes.
Warming temperatures and spring rainfall are likely to speed up melting ice and snow. There could be increased risk of localized flooding in low-lying areas and in areas where ice jams might occur.
