Don’t let one of the first truly chilly days of winter fool you – the ice is still thin and the water is still open on Jackfish Lake and Bluefish Lake.
In a press release issued on Thursday morning, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation warned snowmobilers and others travelling over the ice that the area near its power plant on Yellowknife’s Jackfish Lake is not safe.
The Power Corporation also cautioned people to stay off the ice on Bluefish Lake, about 50 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife, where the company operates a hydro dam.
“We have seen snowmobile tracks in areas close to our facilities that indicate people are placing themselves and their equipment at risk in areas where the ice is very thin,” warned Colin Steed, assistant director of hydro operations.
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“Although we have posted warning signs in the area, they are either not being seen or are being overlooked by some snowmobilers.”
The City of Yellowknife has posted ice thickness measurements on its website and warns users to stay off the ice until it is at least 15 centimetres or six inches thick.
The Canadian Red Cross advises snowmobilers should wait until the ice is 25 centimetres or 10 inches thick before taking their machines out.
