While it’s supposed to be winter, it doesn’t mean ice on our rivers and waterways is safe- especially with the variable temperatures we have been experiencing.
OPP want everyone to be as safe as possible when out enjoying on-ice activities.
With a recent unfortunate incident in the City of Ottawa, police would like to remind everyone to use extra caution and assess the ice and its quality before proceeding onto a “frozen” lake or river.
Temperature changes or a fresh snowfall can contribute to concealing thin ice.
As so many decisions depend on your own discretion, OPP say there are important factors to bear in mind.
There are three unique steps required to assess ice safety: Complete a visual inspection; note the colour of the ice, and measure the thickness of the ice.
Warning signs from a visual inspection will be water on top of the ice, cracks breaks or holes in the ice, mushy ice, ice that looks refrozen- or ice covered in snow.
Grey ice is unsafe ice; white ice is only halfway there- and blue is is best.
To measure the ice, you will need a buddy.
Chip the ice with an axe or hatchet to create a small hole in the ice or use an ice auger or spud bar. Then measure its thickness. Do this every time you change location.
Before setting up your fishing rod, tying up your skates or starting the engine of your snowmobile these steps are strongly advised.
Never trust that the ice is safe.
By Rick Stow
