Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
7 vehicles fell thru surface at Iowa Great Lakes last weekend
Those venturing out on area water bodies are encouraged to use good judgment and practice ice safety.
Ice conditions at many Iowa lakes have been changing quickly over the past few days according to the Iowa DNR. Those changes are only likely to accelerate with the warm weather forecast for the next week.
This past weekend, nine OHV/ATVs broke through the ice – seven at the Iowa Great Lakes on the Minnesota border, and two at Lake Rathbun, on the Missouri border. The vehicles have all been removed and no injuries were reported.
"Between the cold weather and lack of snow cover, we should have excellent ice thickness and quality, but that's not the case," said Craig Cutts, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Bureau, in a news release.
Snow covering ice often acts as a blanket of insulation, slowing ice from forming during cold temperatures and protecting it from melting during warmer weather. Given the cold winter over the upper Midwest and the lack of snow, ice thickness shouldn't be an issue in late January.
But it is.
In Dickinson County, sections on area lakes have had open water all winter and seams in the ice have been opening during the day, then skimming over at night. These hazards have been avoidable during daylight, but have caused issues after sunset. The lack of snow has also created slick conditions making it difficult to walk without ice cleats and has caused stopping issues for OHV/ATVs even while traveling below 5 mph.
These conditions have also impacted lakes in South Dakota and Minnesota. Ice conditions have been changing by the day, and even by the hour in some places. Use caution if heading out and keep plenty of distance from open water. The standard safety practices of checking ice thickness frequently, and including a life jacket, throwable floatation and 50 feet of rope with your fishing equipment is encouraged.
"We emphasize the point that ice thickness varies on each body of water and we're really seeing that this year," Cutts said. "It's a good reminder that no ice is 100 percent safe and to trust your instincts. If it doesn't look right, stay off."
