MDNR warn of unsafe ice conditions

This story was produced by My UP News correspondent Schyler Perkins, find the original story here.

Officials with the Department of Natural Resources are urging people to be safe on lake ice as temperatures continue to stay cold.

“Even during consistent cold stretches, pressure cracks in the ice can develop within hours,” said Lt. Skip Hagy, DNR law enforcement supervisor in Newberry. “There is no such thing as ‘safe’ ice. Always check conditions for yourself; don’t rely on what you see others doing or what they tell you.”

Places of unstable ice can include river mouths or other places of potentially significant currents, and reservoirs that change water levels can have particularly dangerous and thin ice.

The DNR said frozen bodies of water should be checked carefully before anyone braves the ice.

While they say there is no perfectly reliable method to determine if ice is safe, you can use a spud, needle bar or auger to test the thickness and quality of ice.

“Keep in mind that warm spells as brief as one day may weaken the ice,” Hagy said. “Melting ice during the day only partially refreezes at night, creating a thin layer of unstable ice.”

Best practices recommended by the department include wearing a life jacket and having ice picks and a whistle on your person and within reach.

“If you fall through the ice, the most important thing is to remain calm and return in the direction you came from,” said Hagy. “Return to the ice where you broke through, and pull yourself out of the water, rolling onto the ice. Don’t try to stand. Instead, crawl to help distribute your weight until you feel you’re safely away from the weak spot. Seek help immediately to prevent hypothermia.”

Additional ice safety tips from the DNR:

• If there’s ice on the lake but water around the shoreline, use extra caution.
• If you are visiting a new area, ask locals at bait shops, restaurants or stores about ice conditions, but always check conditions for yourself before going onto the ice.
• If you’re walking on the ice, wear a pair of ice-cleats to help with traction.
• Wear bright colors to increase your visibility. White clothing and gear are difficult to see.
• Use the buddy system and tell someone who is staying on shore where you will be and when you plan to return.
• If you’re operating a snowmobile or off-road vehicle, ride in a staggered line. This makes it easier to maneuver in case a rider ahead of you breaks through the ice.

“Ice picks are inexpensive insurance, a great purchase or gift for anyone who ventures onto ice-covered bodies of water,” Hagy added.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/IceSafety. For snowmobile safety tips, go to Michigan.gov/RideRight.