Skating, ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice roads, sledding… there’s so much fun to be had on a lake in the winter… as long as it’s done safely.

Sadly, a recent study has shown that deaths related to unstable lake ice conditions have been increasing. In part, this is linked to climate change causing more swings in temperatures, a phenomenon nicknamed “winter weirding” by climatologists.  Stable and thick ice requires consistent cold periods.  Unfortunately, warmer winters and shorter cold periods could degrade ice conditions and increase the likelihood of falling through the ice.

Other factors such as hidden soft areas, cracks and warmer water from incoming tributaries, all present unseen and unpredictable risks.

It’s no wonder ice is so difficult to read and understand, turns out there are 16 phases of ice. These phases describe the characteristics and chemical structure of the ice and the temperature at which they are formed.  Click here to learn more about the phases of ice.

No need to know and analyze the 16 phases of ice to enjoy playing on the ice.

Here are some simple things you can do to stay safe on a frozen lake:

• Make sure the ice is the appropriate thickness for the weight that it will bear.  The diagram above provides important thickness guidelines for various activities:
• Avoid areas where there is visibly open water.
• Never go out on a frozen lake alone.  Have your cell phone with you and make sure someone else knows where you and your buddy are.
• Know where incoming tributaries are and avoid those areas.
• Keep your pets on a leash and never attempt to rescue your pet – call for help.
• Carry a length of nylon rope to throw to your buddy.
• Beware of ice covered by snow.  Snow can insulate ice and keep it from freezing and hide cracks and weak ice.
• Wearing a life jacket is always a good idea.

Something else to consider and observe is the colour of the ice because it can be an indication of its strength.

• Clear blue ice is strongest.
• White opaque or snow ice is half as strong as blue ice. Opaque ice is formed by wet snow freezing on the ice.
• Grey ice is unsafe. The grayness indicates the presence of water.

Despite all the layers, complexity, colours and potential risks of ice, you can take the right precautions and still enjoy all the fun it has to offer.

This was originally published in the City of Cranbrook’s Winter Edition of Living Near Joseph Creek, produced in conjunction with Columbia Outdoor School

e-KNOW file photos

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