The Grand River Conservation Authority is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of water enthusiasts who enjoy activities on local reservoirs and waterways.
As part of its annual safety procedures, the GRCA will be installing warning booms or buoys upstream of GRCA dams to alert paddlers, anglers and boaters to stay away from the dams.
The installation of these buoys and booms will take place upstream of GRCA dams sometime between now and April 23, depending on weather conditions.
The GRCA is gradually replacing existing orange booms with yellow booms.
Dams can pose serious hazards. Water surges through gates and valves or over the dams, creating strong undertows and currents around the structures. To help manage these risks, the GRCA will be installing plastic floats, joined together by a chain, to create booms as public safety devices.
While the water around dams may appear peaceful, the areas upstream and downstream are much more dangerous. These safety measures will be in place throughout the spring and summer months, and will be removed in the fall.
GRCA installing safety booms and buoys
