Conservation Sudbury has issued a Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety for all parts of the Greater Sudbury watersheds in effect until April 9.
A Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety alert is made when melting ice and other factors could result in high flows and unsafe banks, posing a danger for recreational users.
Higher levels and faster flowing water is expected in all Greater Sudbury watercourses, said Conservation Sudbury in its statement, and is already causing the inundation of low-lying areas with a history of flooding.
Water levels and stream flows are high on smaller and urbanized watercourses and area continuing to build on larger systems like the Vermillion and Wanapitei Rivers.
“At this time, with children off school and with widespread attention on the pandemic, those families living near lakes and rivers should pay special attention to changing water conditions,” said Conservation Sudbury in a press release.
“The cold, fast-flowing water must be avoided. Stream banks will be very slippery and unsafe and must be avoided. Any open-water areas will continue to widen and these must also be avoided.”
All residents, especially those in low-lying, hazard areas are encouraged to monitor conditions for the near future as water levels are expected to take some time to decrease.
