Exercise Caution around Ice This Weekend and All Winter Long

all news, boat access, fishing, law enforcement, ohrv, outdoor recreation

CONTACT:Colonel Kevin Jordan: (603) 271-3128Captain Mike Eastman: (603) 271-3129January 6, 2023

Concord, NH – New Hampshire Fish and Game Department officials urge outdoor enthusiasts to exercise caution when enjoying winter activities near the ice, including vertical ice and on trails. Parents are also urged to educate themselves about ice safety and share this knowledge with their children to help prevent accidents.

"Caution is in order for those going out onto any ice, especially following the recent extreme fluctuations in temperature and precipitation," said Colonel Kevin Jordan, Chief of Fish and Game's Law Enforcement Division. "With erratic weather conditions, some areas of ice may look safe, but may not be. We are urging people to check the ice thickness before going out onto any frozen waterbody."

Because of changeable ice conditions, it is never advisable to drive vehicles onto the ice. Those on foot should carefully assess ice safety before venturing out by using an ice chisel or auger to determine the thickness and composition of the ice. Continue to do this as you go further out because the thickness of the ice will not be uniform over the entire waterbody. Snow-covered ice can be deceiving and should always be inspected carefully.

Though all ice is potentially dangerous, the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research & Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, NH, offers this advice on ice thickness: There should be a minimum of 6 inches of hard ice before individual foot travel and 8–10 inches of hard ice for snow machine or Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle travel.

Keep in mind that thick ice does not always mean safe ice. It is possible for ice to be thick, but not strong, because of varying weather conditions. Weak ice forms when warming trends break down the ice, then the surface refreezes. Be especially careful of areas with current, such as inlets, outlets, and spring holes, where the ice can be dangerously thin.

Tips for staying safe on the ice include:

Ice safety is also very important for snowmobilers. Don't assume a trail is safe just because it exists; check out trail conditions before you go at http://www.nhstateparks.org/activities/snowmobiling/trail-information.aspx.

To watch a short video on how to correctly check ice thickness visit www.wildnh.com/outdoor-recreation/ice-safety.html.