Ice Safety Thickness

With the extremely cold temperatures, Lake Wallenpaupack had over 20 inches of ice in some parts this winter. Since spring is a week away and temperatures are quickly warming up, keep in mind that the ice will start to melt fast and is never 100% safe so it's vital you take precautions when going out. Here are some things to remember:

In case of an emergency, always pack extra, warm clothing and a blanket. An ice pick also may help you get out of the water if you fall through. Never go out on the ice without telling someone else when and where you’ll be out.

If you’re going on ice that you are unfamiliar with, ask the locals about dangerous spots. Never assume the thickness of the ice is uniform over the whole body of water. Some spots may be weaker than others.

There are many things you can observe to guess if the ice is safe for your activities. The color and texture of the ice, the snow coverage on top of the ice, the depth and width of the body of water you’re on, and the recent temperatures are all factors to take into consideration. Different ice colors may indicate different types and thickness of ice. For instance, light gray to dark black may mean the ice is melting, white to opaque may show that water-saturated snow froze over the ice which formed another thin layer and probably is unsafe, and blue to clear ice indicates the ice has a high density and may be the safest. However, don’t rely on the color of the ice alone.

Different ice thickness determines the activities that may be safe. Ice that is 3 inches or less is never safe and ice that is 11 inches may be safe enough to hold a truck’s weight. The chart below gives an idea of proper ice thickness based on activity.