The ice thickness on most lakes in Yellowknife has reached at least six inches.
The Great Slave Snowmobile Association released the latest ice testing results for 21 different locations throughout the city on Monday.
Volunteers with the organization test the ice thickness of many lakes in Yellowknife each winter.
Monday’s results indicate the ice thickness in all but one location that volunteers tested over the weekend is at least six-inches, the minimum recommended by the City of Yellowknife before it is safe to walk on frozen lakes.
According to the results, the ice on Grace Lake below 203 Grace Lake Road was five inches while the ice on the lake off 180 Kam Lake Road was six inches.
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Other locations where the ice measured six inches include the start of the Dettah ice road by School Draw Avenue, Yellowknife Bay by Air Tindi and the government dock.
At several testing locations the ice thickness was measured at 10 inches including on Rat Lake, Kam Lake, Frame Lake, Long Lake and Niven Lake
Even when the ice on lakes is generally thick enough to walk on, the city advises residents to use caution as there can still be areas of weakness.
Crew members with the Snowkings’ Winter Festival recently pulled more than 100 blocks of six-inch ice from Yellowknife Bay for this year’s castle. Organizers have warned anyone walking or sledding in the area of the “ice quarry,” which is marked with barricades and safety cones, to stay clear.
The city recommends that when travelling on ice by foot or on a machine that people:
- be aware of their surroundings;
- travel with a partner;
- carry dry clothing and an emergency kit;
- if travelling in a group while snowmobiling, spread out when stopped;
- carry a form of communication to call for help;
- stay off rivers;
- leave a detailed travel plan with someone; and
- if you are unsure of the ice thickness, drill a test hole or stay off the ice.
