Hennepin Sheriff: Thin Ice Advisory

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is urging people to use caution on all bodies of water due to thin ice and open water.

This weekend's temperatures climbed to 60 degrees which will continue to melt and deteriorate ice conditions. At the same time, the warmer weather will mean more children will spend time outdoors near lakes and other bodies of water. Parents and guardians are urged to use active supervision when children are near bodies of water due to thin ice.

Last month, the Sheriff Office banned the use of cars, trucks, and SUVs on all bodies of water in Hennepin County.  That ban remains in place.  Lake access points remain closed.

In addition, the Sheriff’s Office urges you to remember these safety precautions:

• Anyone who plans to venture onto the ice with recreational vehicles, such as snowmobiles and ATVs, should be aware that this activity involves an increased level of risk at this time.

• Four inches of ice is the recommended minimum thickness for walking and small group activities on ice.  No ice should ever be considered safe.

• Remember to keep your dog on a leash this time of year. The Sheriff’s Office has responded to incidents involving pet owners who put themselves in jeopardy chasing after a dog that wandered onto the ice.

• Ice thickness is variable due to the warm weather and freezing and thawing that has taken place throughout the winter and over the past several weeks.  On Lake Minnetonka and other lakes, there are areas of open water.

For more information about ice safety, the Minnesota DNR has information online at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice.

(The preceding information was provided by a Hennepin County Sheriff's Office press release.)