The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry wants people to understand the ice before going on it.
If you are going to go out onto the ice, MNRF’s Jolanta Kowalski says you should do your research beforehand. My Haliburton Now.com spoke will Kowalski after the news broke that there was a large crack in the ice on Haliburton Lake. Kowalski says it is on the person going onto the ice to take precautions, all the MNRF can do is offer suggestions.
Kowalski explains that bodies of water do not freeze at a uniform temperature, adding it may look thick but may not actually be. She also says that ice near shorelines tends to be thicker than that further out. Kowalski says the MNRF suggests checking the thickness regularly with an auger or a spud bar, adding that you should be checking the thickness as you go further out to make sure that the ice isn’t going to give out under you.
Kowalski empathized with the concerns over the crack on Haliburton Lake because she says the ice around pressure cracks can be weaker so there is a danger even getting close to the crack. ” I think it’s sage advice to say don’t go near pressure cracks,” says Kowalski who goes on to say that if you are not sure of the thickness, the colour of the ice is a good indication, suggesting blue ice is the most solid.
Kowalski stresses the importance of taking as many cautions as possible, adding “really it is their responsibility.”