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After Oswegatchie River snowmobile break-through, DEC issues ice warning

Posted 2/11/11

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is warning of “inconsistent” ice conditions in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas. On the heels of the rescue of two snowmobilers who broke …

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After Oswegatchie River snowmobile break-through, DEC issues ice warning

Posted

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is warning of “inconsistent” ice conditions in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas.

On the heels of the rescue of two snowmobilers who broke through thin ice on the Oswegatchie River Wednesday night, the DEC statement says that in spite of the cold weather, “recent heavy snows combined with earlier thaws have brought about inconsistent ice conditions on the surfaces of lakes, ponds and other waters in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas.”

The statement says the DEC has received numerous reports of snowmobiles and other vehicles getting stuck in the mixture of snow, slush, ice and water, and they have received reports of several snowmobiles and vehicles breaking through areas of thin ice.

So DEC is warning snowmobilers, ice fishers, skiers, snowshoers and others to be careful and take precautions.

One scenario DEC says they have seen is that the weight of snow has caused ice to sink slightly forcing water from below the ice up onto the surface. Water, in some places up to a foot deep, may refreeze resulting in alternating layers of ice and water all covered by a blanket of snow. The snow acts as an insulator preventing the water from refreezing completely even in very cold temperatures.

The snow cover also prevents people from seeing areas of thin ice, putting them at risk of breaking through to the cold waters underneath.

The snowmobilers on the Oswegatchie were part of a group of about half a dozen sledders who were out cruising Wednesday night when one sled fell through the ice into the river. Another fell in after the rider went to help. Both sledders were pulled out unharmed, according to the county Sheriff’s Office.

“These conditions also are dangerous to non-motorized recreationists who may have a much harder time traveling across the surface of waters becoming tired, wet and vulnerable to hypothermia,” the DEC warning said.

DEC advises the public to be cautious and heed the following advice:

· Ice will not be the same thickness on waters in the same area or even on the same body of water. Check the depth of the ice before crossing, in areas you plan to fish and at several points along the way as you traverse a water body.

· Be particularly cautious around inlets, outlets, near ice prevention devices (bubblers), shoreline seeps and over moving water.

· Remember, ice that holds snow may not hold the weight of a person.

DEC also advises the public to be prepared in case you or a companion falls through the ice:

· Carry ice picks to pull yourself out of the water.

· Carry a 50 foot rope to pull others out of the water.

· Remember Reach-Throw-Go: Reach - Rescuers should lie on their bellies, staying away from the edge of the broken ice, and reach with a tree branch, hiking stick or ski pole. Pull the person up onto the ice and both of you should roll away or crawl on your belly for several feet, then crawl on all fours until you are certain you’re out of danger. Retrace your footsteps back to land; Throw - Staying some distance away, throw a rope to the person, pull the person across the ice until you are certain they are out of danger; Go - If you do not have the means to safely rescue the person, go for help immediately.

A person that falls through the ice typically has two to five minutes to get out before the cold saps their strength and concentration. DEC suggests that once out, the person should move quickly to shore following his or her tracks onto the ice; get warm and dry as soon as possible; and if a car or building is not close by you may have to build a fire. Always carry fire-making supplies in a waterproof bag in a fanny pack or in a pocket.