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Protect Yourself To Ensure Safety On Ice This Winter

Released on December 19, 2019

With the arrival of colder temperatures, the Government of Saskatchewan reminds everyone to make sure that ice is safe and thick enough before walking or driving on it.  Ice thickness depends on the particular waterbody and the local conditions.  It does not freeze at a uniform thickness and ice strength can vary considerably from one area to another.

To be sure, check the ice thickness before you travel on it.  As a guideline, you need at least 10 cm (four inches) of ice to walk on, 20 cm (eight inches) to drive a snowmobile or ATV on, 30 cm (12 inches) to drive a car or light truck on, and more than 30 cm (12 inches) to support a heavy truck.

Be aware that any activity on ice has risks.  Guidelines are provided to help individuals make a decision about whether to venture on to the ice.  Thickness is just one consideration when evaluating ice safety.  Clear, hard ice is the only ice recommended for travel.

Also avoid ice that:

  • looks slushy;
  • has thawed, then frozen again;
  • is near moving water;
  • is layered, caused by sudden temperature changes; or
  • has structures on it, such as pressure ridges.
For more information about ice fishing, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/fishing to view the 2018 Saskatchewan Anglers’ Guide.

In comparison to lake ice, river ice is often more hazardous and inconsistent, particularly downstream of dams when winter releases are being made.  The Water Security Agency is currently releasing water from Grant Devine Lake on Moose Mountain Creek and Reid Lake on Swift Current Creek.  There is also flow throughout the Qu’Appelle and Saskatchewan river systems.  These flows would impact the formation the ice covers and these areas should be avoided as conditions can change significantly over short distances.

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For more information, contact:

Patrick Boyle
Water Security Agency
Regina
Phone: 306-694-8914
Email: patrick.boyle@wsask.ca
Cell: 306-631-6997

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