Hennepin County Urges Caution On Thin Ice

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - As warmer temperatures sweep through the Twin Cities this weekend, Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek is urging people to use caution on area lakes.

Ice thickness is variable and the anticipated warmup has the potential for treacherously thin ice and even open water, the sheriff's office warned.

The sheriff's office called the channels of Lake Minnetonka "extremely dangerous" and warned that ice on the lake are not thick enough for motorized vehicles.

"Due to thin ice and open water, some areas are not even suitable for recreation or people on foot," the office wrote in a statement.

The sheriff's office offered these safety precautions:

• Anyone who plans to venture onto the ice should wear a life jacket. Even with precautions, be aware that being on the ice this time of year involves an increased level of risk.
• Four inches of ice is the recommended minimum thickness for walking and small group activities on ice.  No ice should ever be considered safe. Again, channels of Lake Minnetonka should be avoided.

• Remember to keep your dog on a leash this time of year.  Each year the Sheriff's Office responds to incidents involving pet owners who put themselves in jeopardy chasing after a dog that wandered onto the ice.
• Watch your children who are near bodies of water or ice.