Over the past week to ten days, an unusually warm stretch of winter weather led to several ice break-throughs on Minnesota lakes.
The DNR’s Lisa Dugan says even as temperatures drop to more normal levels, there are some long-standing ice thickness guidelines for everyone to remember…
“You wanna make sure there are at least four inches of new, clear ice for walking on, and with snow, you want to at least add a couple of inches.”
Dugan adds that there should be at least five to seven inches of ice for an ATV or snowmobile and for vehicles 12 inches or more. She says that there are proper tools and safety equipment that anyone venturing out on the ice should have…
“Be prepared if you are going to be going out on the ice; check for yourself, make sure you take some safety precautions, bring icepicks with you, and wear buoyant gear if you’re walking out or snowmobiling on the ice to give yourself the best chance for getting home safe.”
You’ll recall that at least two trucks recently went through thin ice at the north public access on Buffalo Lake. A number of other similar incidents have been reported at various locations across the state during the recent mild stretch of winter weather.
(content: in part, courtesy MNN)
