Winter is here, and with it comes colder temperatures which brings ice forming on bodies of water across the province. The Water Security Agency (WSA) put out a reminder to the public about ice safety, noting that ice doesn’t form at a uniform thickness and the strength of the ice on surfaces can vary from year-to-year, which changes the date that ice becomes safe from one year to the next as well.
Each year, tests are done in communities across Saskatchewan so the public can be informed on how safe ice surfaces are. The WSA stated that as a guideline, there needs to be approximately 10cm (4 inches) of ice to walk on, 20cm (8 inches) to drive a snowmobile or ATV on, 30cm (12 inches) to drive a car or light truck on, and more than 30cm (12 inches) to support a heavy truck.
In Martensville, the local fire department has begun taking ice measurements throughout the community, and have found them ranging from 4” to 6”, but noted that due to the rapid freeze-up, and the changing temperatures, the ice can be unpredictable and that residents should not utilize ponds/ice surfaces at this time.
The MFD will continue to take measurements in the coming weeks and throughout the winter. There will be posted signage around ponds within the community regarding their suitability for all winter activities.
Be sure to avoid ice that appears slushy, has thawed and then froze again, is near moving water, is layered – caused by sudden temperature changes or has structures on it such as pressure ridges.
“Be aware that any activity on ice has risks, and guidelines are provided to help individuals make a decision about whether to venture onto the ice. Thickness is just one consideration when evaluating ice safety. Clear, hard ice is the only ice recommended for travel. Ice thickness can be unpredictable and difficult to assess at times. To be sure, always check the ice thickness before you travel on it,” the WSA agency stated in a media release.
