Wednesday, December 10, 2008

PSA on Ice Safety

A lot of people have been falling through the ice this week. It's a tad too early to be going out there because it hasn't been cold enough, long enough. There have been several fatalities. Here are some ice thickness guidelines everyone should follow when playing on the ice. It's our way of keeping all informed here at Minnesota Vs Texas.

Some cold facts about ice

New ice is usually stronger than old ice. Four inches of clear, newly‑formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially‑thawed ice may not.

Ice seldom freezes uniformly. It may be a foot thick in one location and only an inch or two just a few feet away.

Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often dangerous. This is especially true near streams, bridges and culverts. Also, the ice on outside river bends is usually weaker due to the undermining effects of the faster current.

The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process. The extra weight also reduces how much weight the ice sheet can support. Also, ice near shore can be weaker than ice that is farther out.

Booming and cracking ice isn’t necessarily dangerous. It only means that the ice is expanding and contracting as the temperature changes.

Schools of fish or flocks of waterfowl can also adversely affect the relative safety of ice. The movement of fish can bring warm water up from the bottom of the lake. In the past, this has opened holes in the ice causing snowmobiles and cars to break through.

Keep safe out there people!!

- Jennifer

12 comments:

Mama Dawg said...

So glad I don't have to worry about this down here in the dirty south!

Sass said...

You are a champion of public information giving..type...stuff.

Yup.

;-)

Our Two Blessings From Above said...

Oh, this frozen lake stuff freaks me out. We were out on the finger lakes playing hockey one Christmas, we could hear the ice cracking. It is a very strange feeling. The lake was packed with people doing all kinds of winter sports, but still makes you wonder. Thanks for all the great facts! Ice fishing anytime soon?

Jon said...

What about Vanilla Ice? Does he pose any significant danger to me?

Verdant Earl said...

I live on a harbor that froze over for about 2 days last year. Of course some idiots tried to walk across it and had to be rescued when they fell through.

Of course, when I was a kid I walked across the Great South Bay on the south shore of Long Island. A little over a mile. Dunno what I was thinking.

Now, I always think of Christopher Walken in "The Dead Zone".

"THE ICE...IS GONNA BREAK!!!"

Unknown said...

Being on the ice in MN this early in December is dumb... I know it's been cold up there, but there's no way the ice is ready.

Gosh does that bring back memories of ice-fishing-house parties!

Rhea said...

I've never had to deal with ice issues. lol Like Mama Dawg said.

Cowguy said...

Okay, so this is very very informative stuff Sandifer. Next time someone screams at me "ICEHOLE!" I'll know all they want is for me to measure the ice.

Tell Jendi I said "howdy".

Oh and this... Taint.

J.

Susie said...

What a grea PSA!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Aunt Jen. Its snowing in Houston!!! My car is under 2 inches of snow. I panicked and went back in the house and watched tv. Whoo....what a day!!!

Tracy Griffin - Artist said...

I learn from you every day! That's great information!! Thank you!

Tracy Griffin - Artist said...

Yes Jon, stay away from Vanilla Ice. He's no good to anyone... at any thickness.