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Use caution near waterways, warns Conservation Halton by Rachael Williams Metroland West Media Group 7 | Thursday, March 12, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Conservation Halton (CH) is reminding residents that this week's warmer weather may result in extreme flooding. As spring approaches, the conservation authorities will be actively monitoring how quickly the snow is melting and where it will travel. Ideally, the snow would melt into the ground, but according to Norm Miller, communications adviser for Conservation Halton (CH), it's still too frozen. Free could reach six feet "Normally the freeze is about three feet deep into the ground. This year it could be anywhere from five to six feet," he said. Janelle Weppler, manager of watershed engineering services for CH, added that spring/ summer always brings a great deal of rainfall and if the ground remains frozen during the first major storm, it could be hazardous. "The rain won't be able to infiltrate into the ground. This will lead to run off as it goes into our streams," she said. Conservation authorities are monitoring the snow pack, rainfall, stream flow gauges and types of precipitation that are expected in the next few weeks. There are also flood duty officers on call seven days a week, according to Weppler. In the meantime, CH is urging residents to be cautious near streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. Keep pets away from waterway edge Authorities also advise to keep family and pets away from the edge of waterways. "With nature, it's really unpredictable. We're monitoring things but it's hard to say what is going to happen," said Weppler. CH follows a strict protocol in case of a flood. This includes flood messages to municipal emergency management officials, school boards, police and EMS as well as the media. Municipal officials are then required to warn local residents. The conservation authority is responsible for the maintenance and operation of four major dams -- Kelso, Hilton Falls, Scotch Block and Mountsberg -- and 12.5 km of flood control channels, including Sixteen Mile Creek through Milton, MorrisonWedgewood diversion in Oakville and the Rambo-Hager diversion in Burlington. For more information, contact Conservation Halton at 905-336-1158 or by email at web@hrca.on.ca. Join us for our With this week's warm-up, Conservation Halton (CH) is warning residents to use caution near waterways as the snow and ice continues to melt as pictured here at Bronte Harbour. | Oakville Beaver file photo PASTA FESTIVAL February 17 th thru March 31st 3 Course Meal $26.95 See our full menu online. 1715 Lakeshore Road West www.michaelsbackdoor.com 905-822-5751 Oakville Minor Football Flag and Tackle Flag ages 5-14 Tackle ages 10-19 Coaches & Volunteers Needed! Eligible for High School hours www.oakvilletitansfootball.ca email: email: info@oakvilletitansfootball.ca info@oakvilletitansfootball.ca "...perfect match for us ...she made the journey fun ...already referred to a friend ...exceeded our expectations" "...friendly professionalism ...a true expert in her field ...expert design flare" K Design custom cabinetry 490 SPEERS ROAD, OAKVILLE K D E S I G N C A B I N E T RY.CO M 905.339.2223 DIAMOND