Frozen Lakes In High Country Extremely Dangerous This Time Of Year
FRISCO, Colo. (CBS4) - Even with the fresh snowfall the mountains saw on Tuesday the big thaw has already begun in the high country, and that means frozen lakes are probably not as stable as they look.
Conditions are currently perfect for a potentially deadly accident on Colorado's high country ice. Rescue crews say the major factor creating dangerous ice conditions at Dillon Reservoir are the extreme temperature changes and chances for fresh snow to pile up on top of the thin ice, hiding the danger below.
"This time of year, this is our highest potential for an ice rescue," Jeremy Antemesaris with Dillon Fire Rescue said.
For the specialized ice rescue teams like at Dillion Fire Rescue, the next few weeks are a big concern. Ice layers can change daily from a few inches thick to slush in a matter of 24 hours.
"It could freeze up to probably about an inch or so. They could walk out there and find an area and just fall right through," Antemesaris said.
So far this season Dillon's Ice Rescue Team hasn't been called out for a rescue.
"Being out there for probably three minutes you might not be able to feel your hands," Antemesaris said.
They hope people are paying attention so they don't have to be called out at all.
Another major danger is a person's dog going out on the ice and falling through, and then the owner trying to rescue the animal could make the situation even worse.
Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.