Ice Safety

We’ve been seeing many social media posts about whether the ice on our lakes in the 705 is thick enough to be on. There have already been several fatal incidents this winter involving people going through the ice, so we want to emphasize the need for caution.

With the mild temperatures we’ve had this season, the Ontario Provincial Police is urging caution around ice on rivers and lakes. Following the deaths of two teenage boys in Ottawa’s Rideau River in December, the OPP issued a news release reminding the public that the solid appearance of rivers and lakes does not necessarily equate to safe travel conditions.

“With the recent unfortunate incident in the City of Ottawa, the OPP would like to remind everyone to use caution and assess the ice and its quality before venturing out onto a frozen lake or river in Ontario,” the news release said.

While the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) does not play a role in informing the public about ice thickness, they did provide 705BLACKFLY.COM with important safety information. They also suggest that people looking into ice fishing contact local ice hut operators to confirm conditions.

Unevenness

Remember—ice doesn’t freeze at a uniform thickness.
Near-shore ice is often much thicker and safer than ice farther out, especially at the start of the winter season.
Check thickness regularly with a spud bar or auger as you move farther out.
Ice that formed overflowing water, springs, pressure cracks, old ice holes or around the mouths of rivers and streams can be weaker than surrounding ice.

Colour

Clear blue ice is the strongest.
White or opaque ice is much weaker.
Stay away from ice that looks honeycombed, common during thaws or in the spring.

Driving on ice

Be careful when driving snowmobiles or vehicles over frozen lakes or rivers.

Snowmobiles need at least 20 centimeters (8 inches) of clear blue ice.

Light vehicles need 30 centimeters (12 inches) or more.

Double the thickness if the ice is white or opaque.

Heavy snow on a frozen lake or river slows down the freezing process.The Canadian Red Cross has the following recommendations:

Ice be at least 15 cm (6 inches) thick to carry a single person, but if heading out with a group of friends for skating, ensure it’s 20 centimeters (8 inches).
Ice thickness for a sled or snowmobile is a minimum of 25 centimeters (10 inches). Always keep in mind when you move around the ice that thickness does vary, so check the depth of the ice often.
For driving on the ice, the ice should be at least 30 centimeters (12 inches) or more for a light vehicle, according to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. This is 30 centimeters of blue ice, so double that thickness if the ice is white or opaque.

The Lifesaving Society says their data indicates that almost two-thirds of ice-related incidents occur on lakes and the rest occur on rivers. Most snowmobile incidents involve open water/ice holes (62% of all snowmobiling incidents) or thin ice (38%). They also emphasize that no ice is without risk. Even thick ice may be weak so be sure to measure clear hard ice in several places. The quality and thickness of ice can change very quickly, and its appearance can be misleading.

The Lifesaving Society advises:

Keep away from unfamiliar paths or unknown ice.
Avoid traveling on ice at night – clear hard ice is the only kind of ice recommended for travel.
If you must venture onto the ice, wear a thermal protection buoyant suit to increase your chances of survival if you fall through. If you do not have one, wear a lifejacket/PFD over an ordinary snowmobile suit or layered winter clothing,
Avoid slushy ice, thawed ice that has recently refrozen, layered, or rotten ice caused by sudden temperature changes, and ice near moving water (i.e., rivers or currents),
Never go on the ice alone; a buddy may be able to rescue you or go for help if you get into difficulty,
Before you leave shore, inform someone of your destination and expected time of return, and assemble a small personal safety kit no larger than the size of a man’s wallet to carry with you. The kit should include lighter, waterproof matches, a magnesium fire starter, a pocketknife, a compass, and a whistle. You should also carry ice picks, an ice staff, a rope, and a cellular phone.

Destination Ontario also has some great tips about ice safety plus licensing info. Destination Ontario: https://www.destinationontario.com/en-ca/articles/ice-safety-3-steps-could-save-your-life

705BLACKFLY.COM has done extensive coverage about ice safety – particularly snowmobile safety. Here are previous stories:

*** Exclusive interview with Kearney residents who rescued a snowmobiler who fell through the ice: https://705blackfly.com/705blackfly-com-exclusive-we-speak-with-2-kearney-residents-who-saved-a-sledder-who-fell-through-ice/