Stormwater ponds and waterways in the City of Burlington can be dangerous. Always stay off frozen stormwater ponds. No matter how safe ice may seem, changing temperatures and water levels combined with salt from road runoff can create unstable ice. Keep family members and pets away from bodies of water and avoid recreational activities around them.
Winter water safety
Areas with frozen lakes, ponds and waterways can be beautiful places to visit during the winter months, but there is no way of knowing whether this ice is safe to go on. In addition to ice thickness being unpredictable, winter creates other hazardous water conditions, such as:
- Extremely cold water temperatures, which can cause shock within minutes
- Faster flowing waterways due to increased runoff
- Higher water levels due to increased runoff
- Slippery and unstable stream banks
Cold water emergency tips
View the Lifesaving Society's Cold Water and Ice Safety tips and the Red Cross Cold Water Safety tips to learn how to prevent accidents what to do if you fall in cold water.