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Wisconsin DNR Reminds Residents to be Safe on the Ice

Monday, January 20th, 2020 -- 7:30 AM

(WRN) -After a number of recent tragedies, the Department of Natural Resources is reminding people to be careful out on the ice.

After a number of recent tragedies, the Department of Natural Resources is reminding people to be careful out on the ice. Fisheries Supervisor David Rowe says that while the recent snow and cold might have put more packs down on most lakes, you always want to be careful.

"Drill holes, check the thickness as you're going. Six inches is safe ice, less than that, you really have to use your judgement."

Rowe says that ice can never be considered entirely safe, especially on rivers and lakes with a lot of flow.

"And so people really have to be really cautious when they're going out on places where the water could be moving."

Rowe says that you want to have at least six inches of ice out on the water before you drive out on it.

"If they're on a system where other people are using it, follow trails that other people have used as an indication that it's safe."

Rowe stresses that any lake or river that has moving water could have a chance to have ice rapidly thin out in places, so stick to established trails on the ice if they are there. He says that goes double when lakes are getting extra runoff. The added water can lift and shift and erode the ice, making it wildly unstable.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.