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Ice safety: Not always a clear subject
New ice brings beauty and danger
BY CHAAS TOBORG & RYAN HANSON
STATESMAN STAFF WRITERS
ISSUE: 78/17
RYAN HANSEN / STATESMAN
Lake Superior poses a serious threat to anyone venturing out on the ice shelf, because it has yet to freeze over.
With plenty of America’s largest lake to go around, the common question around this “great” area is: When is it safe to go onto the lake? Turns out the answer differs when walking, fishing, snowmobiling, or driving cars or trucks on the ice.
“I don’t understand why people even take that risk, it’s only water that we guess to be thick enough to handle our weight. Then they drill holes everywhere and expect the support to still be there,” said freshman Kim Legler. “It just isn’t worth it to me.”
While there will always be people unwilling to take the risk of venturing to the ice to get their entertainment, sophomore Andrew Harten disagrees with those staying away from the slippery fun. “This is Minnesota,” said Harten. “It’s what we are here for; we have ice hockey, ice fishing and snowmobiling. If you don’t like it, go to Florida.” Since Lake Superior has not yet frozen over, the lake can pose a threat to anyone venturing out on the ice shelf. Lake Superior is a federal waterway, and is still patrolled by the U.S. Coast Guard, even during winter.
RYAN HANSEN / STATESMAN
While parts of Lake Superior have frozen, a large portion
of the lake, including Canal Park, remains open and unsafe.
RYAN HANSEN / STATESMAN
Fog rolls over the Canal Park lighthouse early this week.
“It’s always a risk if you’re going to go out on the ice,” said Derek Franklin, Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class. “We average four to six rescues a year.” One of the primary tools the Coast Guard uses for rescues are helicopters, according to Franklin. However, the closest Coast Guard helicopters are in Traverse City, Mich., two hours away. Often, Franklin said, trucks are used to get near accident sites, with a 14-foot ice boat used to reach those in trouble.
“There’s always a risk if you’re going to go out on the ice,” said Franklin. According to the Web site for the Minnesota DNR, four inches of clear and fresh ice is needed to make a safe trek on foot. If traveling by an ATV or snowmobile, five inches of the same ice is recommended. Before taking a car or truck onto the ice, the DNR suggests that eight to 12 inches of fresh and clear ice is present, although the DNR discourages driving on the ice with any type of car or truck.
While the DNR sets these rules, they are not guaranteed to be correct for all cases.
If someone goes through the ice, the DNR offers important advice—first, make a plan. Do not run up to the hole or the ice around it may break, leading to more victims. If a rescue cannot be made immediately, call 911. Seek immediate medical attention for any person subjected to water at any time.
According to the DNR, if someone falls in, they should swim towards the dark area of the ice. Many think the light colored ice is the open water, but the ice reflects the sun, making the water much brighter around icy areas.
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