City reminding residents to stay off frozen creeks and stormwater management ponds

HAMILTON, ON - This week, the City of Hamilton is launching a campaign to remind residents of the dangers associated with frozen water around lakes, creeks, streams, and natural or man-made stormwater management ponds.

Stormwater management ponds in the City of Hamilton are not monitored for ice conditions. Due to their function, they behave differently than natural bodies of water and residents are asked to stay off stormwater management ponds in order to prevent serious injury or worse. While they may appear to be fully frozen, several factors contribute to the unpredictability of stormwater management ponds including:

• The ice depth varies across the pond’s surface
• Due to the continuous flow of water in these ponds, the ice that forms during winter months is unstable
• Ponds collect runoff from the roadway that contain salt, which lowers the freezing temperature of the water
• Air pockets can easily form throughout the surface
• Ponds are typically located in remote or hard to access areas making it difficult for crews to get through in an emergency

Falling into cold water can be life threatening and can cause hypothermia in only a matter of minutes.

Residents are encouraged to use extreme caution around frozen water and take advantage of outdoor skating opportunities at public rinks throughout the city. For resources on how to spend time outdoors safely or to find a list of City operated and community rinks, visit: hamilton.ca/outdoorprograms.

Quick Facts

• Ice is never 100 per cent safe.
• Ice does not freeze in uniform thickness and is often thicker closer to shore.
• Follow all posted instructions and never go out alone.
• Avoid ice that has formed over flowing water, such as creeks and streams.
• Keep a close eye on your children and keep pets on a leash.
• If someone falls in, do not go in after them. Call 911, try to reach them with something such as a pole, stick, rope, or hose.
• If a pet falls through, do not go in after them. Call their name and encourage them to come to you. Animals can survive in cold water longer than humans can, and they are often able to get themselves out.
• If you fall in yourself: stay calm, control your breathing, get your arms onto the ice shelf and call for help. Try to get out of the same area where you went in. Kick with your feet, crawl with your arms, and roll to safety once you get back onto the ice.