Following its latest round of ice thickness testing, HRM is warning citizens that ice surfaces on lakes and ponds within the municipality are still not thick enough for skating. Lakes were inspected January 11, 2011.

The Red Cross recommends ice be 15 centimetres thick for individual skating and 21 centimetres thick for group skating. Ice thickness testing is randomly done on each lake and gives a general average of conditions which can vary over the entire surface. HRM urges individuals to use extreme caution in areas where streams flow in and out of lakes.

For updated results, call the ice line at 490-3577. The information is updated each Friday. Results are also posted at www.halifax.ca under ‘Ice Thickness Reports’. This service is provided with the understanding that anyone using the lakes does so at their own risk. HRM tests approximately 80 lakes and ponds.