THUNDER BAY – Heading into summer, the start of walleye fishing and the warmer weather, people might forget to put safety first around waterways.
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is reminding people to be smart around cold lakes and rivers this Victoria Day long weekend.
“Rivers and streams can be fast and treacherous at this time of year”, says Mike Martelli, OPG’s President, Renewable Generation and Power Marketing. “Our safety message is simple: Stay Clear! Stay Safe! We’re urging people to take extra care and heed warning signs, buoys, fences, booms, and barriers.”
Hydroelectric generating stations can cause sudden changes in water levels, strong undertows, turbulence and sudden, powerful surges of water. OPG works with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), Conservation Authorities, and Municipalities to help manage water flows. Working together we do our best to balance the needs of various interests including recreational users, and wildlife while also providing water to create clean energy.
OPG’s water safety TV ad will begin running this weekend warning people about the dangers near dams and stations. For more information about OPG’s water safety visit www.opg.com/watersafety .
