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Warmer weather brings threat of thin ice

Feb 25, 2017 | 3:00 PM

The City of Prince Albert has warned residents to steer clear of ice surfaces, as recent warm weather has made ice patterns very unpredictable.

Prince Albert Fire Chief Jason Everitt said ice surfaces are an especially dangerous place to be as temperatures climb, particularly around the river and drainage channels.

“The river, storm ponds or drainage channels may look like they are safe, but a moving body of water is never completely frozen,” Everitt said.

Everitt said certain areas may be thick enough to walk on, but there are always areas with thin ice which pose a serious threat.

“If you break through the ice you may be overcome by the cold, and hypothermia can set in very quickly,” Everitt added.

Ministry of Environment spokesperson Greg Johnson said water has started to appear on formerly ice-covered lakes in the North.

“Sometimes that is an indication of danger and sometimes it is just the water coming off the shore,” Johnson said. “The nine-degree weather last week would have done that.”

When water starts to flow, Johnson said it can erode the ice and make it rotten, and suggested drilling a hole to test the ice depths.

It is safe to walk on the ice if it is four inches deep, Johnson said. You can drive on ice with a snowmobile or ATV if there is six inches of ice. Eight inches is required for a car or small truck, and a foot of ice must be present to support a large vehicle.

“Watch out for slushy areas and, if in doubt, just don’t go out on to the ice,” Johnson added.

While the river should be avoided at all times, Johnson said winter recreation and ice fishing enthusiasts should still be able to get out on the lakes for some time.

“Right now, we’re getting a cold snap… so it will help tighten up the ice again,” Johnson said.

The last day for ice fishing in Saskatchewan this season is April 15.

 

teena.monteleone@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TeenaMonteleone