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WILLMAR - After an early start to winter, many folks are welcoming the warm weather, but a March-like spate of above-freezing temperatures has created a new hazard: rapidly thinning ice on area lakes.
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office issued a dangerous ice warning this weekend for area lakes. The public is urged to use extreme caution when venturing onto the ice.
According to Cpl. Jason Keith, a sheriff’s deputy certified in ice water rescue and water rescue, one vehicle went through the ice this weekend, and an individual broke through the ice near the New London Township access on the northwest shore of Green Lake. Both incidents occurred in very shallow water and no injuries were sustained, Keith said in a news release.
That access has now been closed by the Sheriff’s Office. The Crescent Beach access on the south side of Green Lake remains open but the ice quality in the area is poor due to a vehicle that went through a week ago.
The Sheriff’s Office said there have been reports of deteriorating ice conditions on several local lakes and at some landings.
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The Sheriff’s Office has this advice for staying safe:
Do not go out onto the ice alone. Let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return.
Travel with a companion but keep a safe distance apart.
Wear proper clothing that provides thermal protection. Bring along a life vest or float coat.
Carry ice picks and length of rope with you.
Avoid areas where there is standing water on the ice.
As a rule of thumb, ice should be at least four inches thick before it’s safe to walk on. Ice thickness needs to be a minimum of five to eight inches to safely support an ATV or snowmobile, and eight to 12 inches thick for cars and light trucks.
