With ice fishing season here for some Montanans, ice safety is something that should always be in the front of your mind. Here’s a reminder of ice thickness recommendations.
Safe loads for clear solid ice are indicated below:
Note that ice strength is influenced by many factors:
- age – newer black ice is stronger than old milky
- distance to shore – ice close to shore is weaker than ice farther out
- river outlets and inlets – ice close to outlets and inlets is weaker
- obstructions like rocks, trees and plants
- water currents
- cover of snow
This information must only be used as a general guide – KEEP OFF the ice if you are not absolutely sure.
(information via Nodak Outdoors and Farmer’s Almanac and engineeringtoolbox.com)
Feature photo via National Snow and Ice Data
