Otonabee Conservation offers Spring Water Awareness children’s program resources for parents to help keep children safe during the Spring melt.
Each year, Otonabee Conservation partners with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to offer the Spring Water Awareness Program (SWAP) to local schools. The program helps children understand and recognize the dangers around creeks, streams, and rivers during the spring.
The spring melt, also called the spring freshet, occurs this time of year when temperatures increase, melting snow and ice, causing water volume and flows to increase in local watercourses. At this time of year, it is important to remind children to STAY CLEAR AND STAY SAFE around dams, hydroelectric stations, and waterways.
Otonabee Conservation staff will be delivering the SWAP program to many local schools over the next several weeks and digital SWAP Activity Booklets are available for parents to download from our website to share with their children. The 11-page booklet includes colouring sheets, activities, and worksheets that help children to understand the rules for being safe around watercourses. The OPG Kid’s Guide to Staying Clear and Staying Safe is also available for download.
“Fast flowing, cold, deep water, slippery streambanks and unsafe ice present real dangers for everyone this time of year. We would like parents to talk with their children about avoiding watercourses this time of year, especially if they are outdoors playing during the March Break.”
Meredith Carter, Manager of Watershed Management Programs at Otonabee Conservation
Children and youth should also be reminded to obey all cautionary signs around waterways and dams, and stay safe by playing with a friend, letting an adult know where they are going and when they will return, and dressing properly for the weather.
For further resources, including and a short video by OPG, please visit otonabeeconservation.com
For more information contact:
Janette Loveys Smith | CAO / Secretary-Treasurer
Otonabee Conservation
jsmith@otonabeeconservation.com | 705-745-5791 Ext. 222