Skating on thin ice: Stay off stormwater ponds, Georgina warns. Here’s why

Constant flow of water, unpredictable water levels creates unstable and often thin ice

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 24, 2021

Georgina, along with many other municipalities such as the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and York Regional Police, are warning residents to stay off stormwater ponds, however enticing the ice may be.

Ice over a stormwater pond may look thick, but it’s what lies beneath that can pose dangerous risks.

What is a stormwater pond?

A stormwater pond acts as a catch basin rain for run-off water, usually found near developed areas with impermeable surfaces such as parking lots, driveways, roads and buildings.

There are more than two-dozen stormwater ponds in Georgina, of which more than 15 are located in Keswick, five in Sutton and three in Pefferlaw.

Stormwater ponds are designed prevent erosion caused by flooding and to improve water quality before it flows into local creeks, streams and watersheds.

Why are stormwater ponds so dangerous?
Stormwater ponds have a specific job --to continuously collect stormwater run-off from neighbourhoods.

Ponds are designed to have a constant in-and-out flow year-round, making for unpredictable ice conditions. Even in winter, open water can be found at the edge of the pond and at water outlets, creating thin ice spots where unseen currents continue to flow.

Along with run-off and snowmelt, contaminants such as road salt and sand also flow into the stormwater ponds, impacting the quality and strength of the ice.

Sudden variations in temperature up or down can wreak havoc on ice thickness, creating air pockets between layers of ice.

The ice looks thick to me. Why can’t I skate on it?
Skating or walking on an ice-covered stormwater pond is prohibited by town bylaws.

The constant flow of water and unpredictable water levels creates unstable and often thin ice.

Not to mention, ice found on stormwater and park ponds, streams and even over Lake Simcoe are not maintained, and there have been a number of instances of unsuspected skaters falling through the ice with fatal consequences.

Where can I skate instead?
Outdoor skating is available at the Pefferlaw Ice Pad, 38 Pete’s Lane, in Pefferlaw.

Under new COVID-19 safety protocols, skaters and spectators are required to preregister for public skating time slots that are subject to capacity limits, masks must be worn at all times, and participants must complete a COVID-19 self-assessment prior to entering the facility.

For more information, visit www.georgina.ca/skating.