2024 TRCA Winter Safety Statement

12/10/2024

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SafetyWinter

December 10, 2024, Toronto, ON — As winter makes an appearance, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is here to provide winter safety information with tips and resources to ensure residents can safely enjoy winter season outdoor activities.

Flooding can happen at any time of year, including the wintertime, and it is important to know the risks during each season.

ice on stream at Kortright Centre

Winter Safety

  • Always stay away from frozen water bodies and ice around dams and channels.

  • Ice conditions in and around rivers and large bodies of water can be hard to predict and should be considered unstable.

  • Skating on bodies of water always comes with significant risks, such as inconsistent ice formation, underwater currents, and obstacles like rocks or submerged debris. These factors can create unsafe conditions, even if the surface appears solid.

  • Warm weather and rainfall during the winter months can raise water levels in rivers, lakes, and ponds and cause ice jams, making ice conditions even more unstable.

  • Keep a safe distance from rivers, lakes, and ponds in the winter months because water levels can change very quickly, and riverbanks can become slippery, unstable, and eroded.

  • Chunks of ice in a river can jam up and release to downstream areas, without warning, often in a very short period of time.

Download our fact sheet for seasonal flood safety tips.

What is an Ice Jam?

Changes in river water levels during warmer temperatures or rainfall events in the winter can cause river ice to melt and break apart into large chunks. River ice can become jammed at bridges and other river crossings as it moves downstream and can form an ice jam that may cause flooding.

photo of ice jam in Bolton from March 2019

Did You Know a Major Ice Jam Occurred Not So Long Ago?

On Friday, March 15, 2019, an ice jam caused the Humber River to spill its banks into the surrounding floodplain, sending water into the streets and flooding homes in downtown Bolton. Upwards of 250 residents were evacuated from approximately 80 homes after the water began to flow into the streets east of the downtown core.

Be Prepared

TRCA operates a  Flood Forecasting and Warning Program that monitors weather forecasts and river conditions on a continuous basis and issues flood messages when flood risk is high.

Sign up to receive flood messages at trca.ca/sign-up. For more information about TRCA’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Program, visit trca.ca/flood.

live camera view of Milne Dam
Ice on the Rouge River at Milne Dam: December 2, 2024.

TRCA asks the community to consider the following safety tips to minimize risks associated with winter weather:

Maintain a Safe Distance:

  • Avoid getting too close to riverbanks and other water bodies, even if the ice appears thick.

Always Obey Safety Signage:

  • Do not walk, skate, or drive on ice-covered rivers, lakes, or ponds unless officially designated as safe by local authorities.
  • Stormwater ponds were not made for ice skating. These ponds often have thinner ice and more cracks due to road salt and snowmelt. Slopes near ponds can also be slippery and dangerous.

Limit Recreational Activities Near Water:

  • Avoid areas near ice jams and stay off stormwater ponds. For those interested in ice skating or other ice-related activities, please contact the local municipality to find official safe locations for winter ice activities.

Be Alert Near Dams:

  • Stay away from dams, channels, and reservoirs. Ice near dams can be unpredictably thin and water levels may fluctuate, increasing the risk of ice failure.

Know What to Do in Case of an Emergency:

  • If someone is in danger or has fallen through ice, immediately call 911. Do not attempt a rescue as it can be extremely dangerous.

Resources

Stay Informed and Prepared

TRCA highlights the importance of staying informed about local water levels and seasonal changes. For information about regional water levels and seasonal changes, please contact your local conservation authority: