Is the Ice Safe for Fishing, Skating, Riding?

Is the ice safe in Merrimack? Probably not and it's not worth the risk, says Merrimack Fire Marshal John Manuele.

Given a spate of warm days often called the January thaw, and the late date at which temperature regularly dropped below freezing, state and local officials are saying the same thing, don't trust the ice.

In a list of safety tips from NH Fish & Game, this one probably says it best for current ice conditions given the recent weather, "Remember - thick ice does not always mean safe ice! Ice can be thick, but not strong, because of varying weather conditions. Weak ice is formed when warming trends break down ice, then the slushy surface re-freezes."

Manuele said Merrimack authorities do not check the thickness of the ice around town, Fish & Game is the official authority on ice conditions.

And according to a press release sent out at the end of last week, which was collectively colder than the last five days, Fish & Game authorities are advising everyone to stay off the ice.

"Though all ice is potentially dangerous, the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research & Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, N.H., offers a 'rule of thumb' on ice thickness: There should be a minimum of six inches of hard ice before individual foot travel, and eight to 10 inches of hard ice for snow machine or All-Terrain Vehicle travel."

Adding to the poor ice condition is the high winds that have been experienced in recent weeks, which has contributed to weakening the ice that has formed on local water bodies.

"Our position right now, would we be crazy about people being on the lake? The answer is no, definitely not," Manuele said.

Brush up on ice safety tips from NH Fish & Game:

• Stay off the ice along the shoreline if it is cracked or squishy. Don’t go on the ice during thaws.
• Watch out for thin, clear or honeycombed ice. Dark snow and ice may also indicate weak spots.
• Small bodies of water tend to freeze thicker. Rivers and lakes are more prone to wind, currents and wave action that weaken ice.
• Don’t gather in large groups or drive large vehicles onto the ice.
• If you do break through the ice, don’t panic. Move or swim back to where you fell in, where you know the ice was solid. Lay both arms on the unbroken ice and kick hard. This will help lift your body onto the ice. A set of ice picks can help you pull yourself out if you do fall through the ice; wear them around your neck or put them in an easily accessible pocket. Once out of the water, roll away from the hole until you reach solid ice.