Spring Ice Safety
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Updated: 10:45 PM Mar 13, 2009
Spring Ice Safety
"It's certainly something that every person that goes on the ice needs to keep in mind." -- Bill Schwengel, DNR Warden Supervisor
Posted: 9:47 PM Mar 13, 2009
Reporter: Meghan Kulig
Email Address: meghan.kulig@weau.com
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As the weather gets warmer, ice on local lakes is getting thinner.

If you’re still driving on the ice, you might want to think twice.

On Friday, DNR Warden Supervisor Bill Schwengel was on Lake Altoona – checking-up on anglers and talking safety.

"It's certainly something that every person that goes on the ice needs to keep in mind,” he said.

"I don't go out when it's real thin,” added angler Richard Johnson.

Earlier this week, a car broke through the ice on Balsam Lake in Polk County. A reminder of just how quickly something can go wrong.

"Every year we have a number of vehicles that break through the ice,” Schwengel said. "It happens sometimes in areas where you think the ice would be rather thick yet."

Although certain sections of ice are usually the first to thin out.

"Gotta' worry about the boat landings 'cause the boat landings will go first,” Johnson said.

"The water's shallow, the sun is getting higher now, tends to warm up in the shallow area so that ice melts quicker,” Schwengel added.

So, as Schwengel continues to inch across the ice, he reminds anglers to fish with care. He also spreads the most important message of all.

"Ice is never safe."

Schwengel says anyone going out on the ice should wear a life jacket and carry retractable spikes. He says those could save you life if you fall through.


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