Hazardous conditions on and around bodies of water

Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) is reminding residents of the dangers that exist near rivers, streams, ponds and lakes this time of year and urging people to keep family and pets away from the edges of all waterways. Melting snow combined with spring rainfall and frozen ground that is less able to absorb water can lead to higher and faster flowing water and unstable ice conditions.

Be safe this spring and remember the following tips:

• Keep family and pets away from the edges of all waterways.
• Unless an area is officially sanctioned for it, avoid all recreational activities on or around water and ice, especially near ice jams.
• Do not attempt to walk on ice-covered water or drive through flooded roads or fast-moving water.
• If you live close to the water, move objects such as chairs or benches away from the water’s edge to avoid losing them if water levels rise.
• Avoid walking close to or across riverbanks, shorelines and ice-covered water to prevent falling through. Riverbanks and shorelines can be slippery and unstable due to snowmelt and erosion.
• Rescuing a person or pet from icy water is dangerous. If you see anyone that has fallen through the ice call 9-1-1 for help immediately.
• Stay informed with the Alertable app. Alertable is a Canadian public emergency alert system that offers CVC flood alerts in real-time, right to your mobile device. It’s free via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
• Know who to contact during a flood emergency.

CVC continues to monitor the Credit River watershed for potential flooding through the Flood Forecasting and Warning Program and will continue to monitor watershed conditions throughout the transition to spring.

Credit Valley Conservation is advising that a Provincial Flood Watch is issued for Lower Great Lakes Shoreline Region by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. Strong south/southwest winds gusting between 60 and 70 km/h is expected throughout Wednesday and peaking in the evening hours. Waves in excess of 1.5 m could be seen in the Lower Great Lakes including Lake Ontario causing surge related flooding in vulnerable locations in shoreline areas.

As a result, streams and rivers close to the Lake Ontario Shoreline will become dangerous, especially in the vicinity of culverts, bridges, and dams. There is a potential for flooding in low lying areas. The public is warned to stay away from Lake Ontario Shoreline and nearby watercourses.   

CVC will continue to closely monitor weather and water levels in Lake Ontario.  This Flood Outlook Statement will be in effect through to Thursday January 6, 2022 or until further notice. 

To view current watershed conditions, please visit our real-time monitoring website:  https://cvc.ca/watershed-science/watershed-monitoring/real-time-monitoring/

Water Safety Statement

Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) is advising that a spring storm system is forecast to move into our watershed late this evening and overnight bringing risk of thunderstorms and 15 to 20 mm of heavy rain. Periods of rain will be ending near Friday at noon bringing an additional 10 to 15 mm of rainfall. 5 to 10 mm of rain is forecasted for Saturday.

While flooding of the Credit River and its major tributaries is not expected, higher water levels and flows will result in local streams and rivers becoming dangerous, especially in the vicinity of culverts, bridges and dams. The public is advised to stay away from all watercourses, especially children and pets. Residents living near watercourses are advised to remove or secure all loose items in the floodplain. 

CVC will continue to closely monitor weather and water levels in the watershed. The Watershed Conditions Statement for Water Safety will be in effect through Sun-Mar-28-2021 or until further notice. 

To view current watershed conditions, visit our real-time monitoring website: https://cvc.ca/watershed-science/watershed-monitoring/real-time-monitoring/