Each winter, the municipality regularly tests ice thickness at more than 80 lakes in the Halifax region, primarily in the urban core. Ice thickness reports for lakes tested by the municipality will be available to the public on a weekly basis, beginning in January.
Residents are urged to always assess each situation and its conditions before taking a step onto the ice of any lake or body of water.
Ice thickness should be:
- 15 cm for walking or skating alone
- 20 cm for skating parties or games
- 25 cm for snowmobiles
Be safe. Avoid going out on ice at night and always check conditions before venturing out.
Many factors affect ice thickness including:
- Water depth and size of body of water
- Currents, tides and other moving water
- Chemicals including salt
- Fluctuations in water levels
- Logs, rocks and docks absorbing heat from the sun
- Changing air temperature
- Shock waves from vehicles traveling on the ice
Test results can be found here: https://www.halifax.ca/recreation/programs-activities/skating/ice-thickness
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Source : Release