Stay clear of ice covered surfaces, says Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority

_ (via Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority) _ With the recent cold weather and snowfall, lakes, rivers and creeks are beginning to freeze over. Although Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) does not monitor ice thickness, it is likely that ice cover on the majority of the waterbodies within the watershed is not sufficient to support any type of recreational activity at this time. With temperatures returning to above freezing in the long range forecast, ice conditions are not expected to improve.

Residents are strongly urged to stay off all ice covered water bodies and to remind children about the dangers of playing on or near ice covered surfaces or fast flowing water in ditches and smaller creeks. Hypothermia is a major concern for anyone playing in areas where they could potentially fall into open water.

This Watershed Conditions Statement is valid through January 11, 2016. Additional statements will be issued when or if conditions are expected to change significantly from this outlook.

Daily water levels and flows are available on the MVCA website at http://mvc.on.ca/water-levels/

The MVCA flood forecasting and warning program monitors weather conditions, snow pack water content, estimates expected river flows and water levels and issues flood advisories or warnings as required. MVCA provides early warning and continuous monitoring to municipal and provincial emergency response personnel through a flood event.