Boaters, kayakers and other water enthusiasts are being told to stay away from the Thames River as water levels through the London-area have reached a hazardous point.
London police issued a boating ban for all portions of the river within the city on Monday. The ban will remain in place until water levels recede.
The Thames River, as well as other area waterways, have become dangerous as mild temperatures have melted the snowpack and combined with rain to elevate water levels. At this point no serious flooding is anticipated, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority said.
Waterways are extremely cold and fast-moving and banks of rivers and creeks are very slippery posing a serious hazard. People are advised to stay away. In addition to that, residents should not attempt to go on any ice that remains as it has been weakened and become unstable because of the winter warm up.
On Sunday, a 10-year-old girl fell through the ice on Whirl Creek near Mitchell. OPP and firefighters from West Perth, St. Marys, and Stratford have been enduring "treacherous conditions" in an effort to find the girl. The search was suspended overnight and resumed Monday morning.
