THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 21, 2010
11
“iS tH e ic e Sa F e ye t ?”
by Andrea laMoreaux
NH Lakes Education Director
zen lakes and ponds this est. To find out more, visit
The most common ques- winter! www.nhlakes.org/IceFest.
tion I get this time of year Whether you enjoy walk- htm.
is, “Is the ice safe yet?” ing, snowshoeing, ice skat- NH LAKES is a state-
Generally, my response is, ing, cross-country skiing, wide, nonprofit, member-
“Well, yes—from mid-Jan- ice fishing, snowmobiling supported organization
uary through February, or ice sailing out on the dedicated to protecting
you can usually expect ice, by following a few ba- lakes and their watershed
the lakes and ponds in sic safety rules and know- through education and
New Hampshire to be suf- ing what to do if disaster advocacy for current and
ficiently frozen to support strikes, you can have a future generations. For
a great deal of weight and safe and fun time. Many more information about
recreation activity.” communities and lake as- the organization’s lake
However, with that said, sociations will be hosting protection efforts across
I always advise folks who festivals out on the ice the state and how to
are planning to venture this winter. If there isn’t help, please visit www.
out onto a lake or pond such an event scheduled nhlakes.org or contact
that appears to be frozen near you, come on down (603) 226-0299. To receive
to follow a few basic ice- to Cobbetts Pond in Wind- NH LAKES’ free monthly e-
safety tips: ham on Saturday, Febru- news blast, Shorelines, full
•Check it! Never assume ary 6th. You, your family of interesting lake-related
the ice on any water body and friends will be sure to information, sign up on
is thick enough to support have a great time at NH the website.
your weight. Start at the LAKES’ First Annual IceF-
shorelin and, using an
auger, spud or ax, make
test holes at intervals as
you proceed away from
Winter offers many recreational opportunities to enjoy
the shoreline. As a rule of
our lakes and ponds. Photo courtesy of Cobbetts Pond
thumb, for new, clear ice,
Association at www.cobbettspond.org/.
there should be a mini-
mum of four to six inches ee to take a short, and pdf or get copy from their
of ice to support a few, what he hoped would be, Public Affairs Division by
well-dispersed people; six much-needed and relax- calling 271-3211.
to seven inches for small, ing break—unfortunately, Have a safe and fun
on-foot group activities; much to his dismay and time on one of New
and at least eight to ten mine, the back of his skis Hampshire’s 1,000 fro-
inches for snowmobiles. quickly followed by the rest
(These ice thickness rec- of his skis, broke through
ommendations are based the ice, and, in an instant,
on information from the he plunged into the shock-
Cold Regions Research ingly chilly water below.)
B
r
a
d
Fran
k
l
i
n
Laboratory in Hanover, •Know What To Do If
N.H. For more detailed You Do Fall Through
guidelines, visit www.cr- The Ice: Before heading
PAINTING
rel.usace.army.mil/ierd/ out onto the ice this win-
ice_safety/safety.html.) ter, I recommend that you
•Shoreline Ice: If the watch an unforgettable
ice along the shoreline is video produced by The
• Specializing in Fine Interiors
cracked or squishy, stay Discovery Channel Canada
• Exteriors
off! Don’t go on the ice that will teach you how to
during thaws. Avoid areas survive a fall through the • All Types of Spray Painting
with honeycombed ice, ice, Believe me, it can hap-
dark snow, or dark ice. pen to anyone and when
• Commercial
•Moving Water: Ice is one least expects it. You
• Residential
generally thinner at in- can watch this short video
lets and outlets, around on your computer by visit-
• 20+ Years Experience
docks, bridge abutments, ing www.youtube.com/
islands, and, much to my watch?v=ysnKtuUTt8k.
• References Available
husband’s surprise, ob- Also, I recommend that
jects, such as rocks, that you read the “Safety on Ice”
protrude through. (Yes, a brochure produced by the
Call for a
few winters ago, my ad- New Hampshire Fish and
603-387-9147
venturous husband cross- Game Department. You
Free Estimate 603-279-7835
country skied up to a boul- can download it from their
der protruding out of the website at www.wildlife.
86 Corliss Hill Road, Meredith, NH
ice in the middle George’s state.nh.us/Fishing/Fish-
Mill Bay on Lake Sunap- ing_PDFs/Safety_on_ice.
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