WINNIPEG — As the temperature starts to drop and Manitoba’s waterways begin to freeze over, officials are warning people to be careful on the ice.
Many rivers and lakes still have a thin layer of ice or open water in some areas. Snowmobilers, skiers and outdoors enthusiasts are being warned to stay off the ice until it’s safe enough.
“Ice that is a foot deep in one location can be razor thin only a few feet away,” Sgt. Kevin Pawl of the Winnipeg police said. “Only approved areas that have been tested for use should be considered safe.”
General rule for ice thickness
The colour of the ice also indicates its strength and quality. Blue ice is the strongest, while grey ice is unsafe.
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The ice thickness measurement is only a general rule and people should know it does not always indicate safety in every instance, the Canadian Red Cross said.
Ice safety
Many different activities can lead to drowning or cold water-related deaths, according to the Canadian Red Cross.
- Snowmobiling accounts for 55 per cent of deaths every year.
- Walking, hiking, fishing, hunting and skating account for 34 per cent.
- Use of other vehicles on ice, like ATVs, construction vehicles, and regular vehicles used for ice fish account for 11 per cent.
The warning from the province comes after several ice-related deaths and and incidents over the past month in Manitoba.
On Tuesday, RCMP searched the Assiniboine River in the R.M. of Cartier for a 62-year-old snowmobiler from St. Francois Xavier, Man., who officers believe went through the ice Sunday. The same morning, Winnipeg’s water rescue team were called to the Red River near the Provencher Bridge after reports of a man falling through the ice.
On Dec. 4, RCMP found the body of a 51-year-old man who fell through the ice on his snowmobile in Nelson House, Man.