Spring Safety: Be careful near waterways

With spring-like temperatures arriving early, unsafe ice and slippery banks already exist. The onset of spring will bring rain and melting snow, which will cause the breakup of remaining ice along watercourses and lakes as well as high stream flows. These hazardous conditions can cause life-threatening injury if a person falls into the extremely cold water.



Play it safe and stay well back from waterways as the snow and ice melts. Help make this a safe and enjoyable spring.

• Keep family and pets away from the edges of all bodies of water.
• Avoid all recreational activities in or around water, especially near ice jams or ice-covered watercourses and waterbodies—including municipally managed stormwater ponds.
• Do not attempt to walk on ice-covered waterbodies 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 during potential spring high water.
• Avoid walking close to and across riverbanks and ice-covered water to prevent falling through.