ABCA sends out community waterway warning

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 As the temperature warms up, the snow melts and local streams rise which is a good indicator that spring is around the corner. Regardless of the fact it may be sweater weather, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority is warning Huron County and surrounding areas that the water is still hazardous.

The thing we really stress is that it's dangerous to be around water courses,” said Alec Scott, the water and planning manager at the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. “That's why we have a program where we go around to public schools to do a learning session with the students.”

Just to make them aware of just how cold water is at this time of year and how quickly they will get numb, it's promoting the public's safety.”

Being so close to the March Break for most students in the region, Scott mentioned that children are outside more often than usual. If anybody has questions relating to water temperatures or programs available from the ABCA, their number is 519-235-2610.

So far, floods are not an issues

For the next couple weeks the forecast has predicted the outdoor temperature to be in the double digit figures resulting in a big melt of the remaining snow leftover from recent winter storms. The upside of the thawing is most water areas are free of solid ice, which commonly results in ice jams and subsequently causes flooding.

"Just because the snow has recently melted, the grounds are really saturated, if we get that much rain then very little is going to soak into the ground and it just runs off into the stream," Scott said.

"The water levels are going to be higher (but) we don't expect there is going to be any significant flooding."

Residents are reminded to stay clear from all waterways because the 'extremely' cold waters are dangerous as well as the slippery and unstable stream banks.






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