Borough officials urge people to stay off the ice as temperatures continue to rise

As temperatures continue to rise and the snow and ice begin to melt, local lakes and rivers have become unsafe for travel. Recreators should consider different routes or trips and adjust their plans accordingly to the changing weather conditions. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough suggests not going out on the ice, even if it looks safe for vehicle or walking travel.

“The Mat-Su Borough’s ice conditions continue to deteriorate, however, with recent snowfall visible lake and river ice may appear to be much more substantial than it actually is,” Matanuska-Susitna Borough Rescue Operations Chief Brent Davenport said. “Most of the ice in the Borough may still measure out to be quite deep (7-24 inches in some places) but the bottom three-quarters to seven-eighths of that ice may be very weak and delicate rotten “candle” ice. This would mean any person walking out onto a lake or river ice would be taking an unacceptable risk, in most cases with only an inch or so of solid ice to support their weight.”

Big Lake serves as a popular destination for ice fishermen and snow machiners and provides access to residents on the lake via ice roads during the winter. Dan and Kathy Mayfield reside on Big Lake and volunteer their time to help maintain those roads. Dan echoed the Borough’s caution for venturing onto the ice this time of year.

“The lake is not safe at this point. Big Lake, Mud Lake and Flat Lake, they just aren’t safe for people to ride a motorized vehicle across,” Dan said.

Big Lake has had as much as 25 inches of ice at a minimum just a few weeks ago according to Dan. Since then, the ice has weakened to the point of posing great danger to those venturing out on it. Dan said he knew of two recent incidents, one where a dump truck hauling rocks broke through the ice on Big Lake and a second when a truck broke through on Flat Lake.

“The conditions have deteriorated pretty quickly,” Dan said.

When approaching a frozen water body this time of year, Dan suggests studying the ice before going out on it. The edges of lakes thaw before the middle does, and if the landings, or access points, are wet and thawed, that is a good indication that the ice is thin and unsafe. Cloudy ice is also an indicator of weak and unsafe conditions.

“That’s the first sign that you really shouldn't go on the lake,” Dan said. “Even if the lake looks good, you should not do that because you may end up breaking through at some point.”

Travel on the ice this time of year poses risks not only to those that choose to venture out, but also to emergency services that must respond to any incidents that occur. Vehicles that are lost through the ice may have to remain in the water until the lake is fully thawed before they can be retrieved - and at a hefty cost to the owner. The best way to avoid any issues is to stay off of the ice.

“It is the strong recommendation of the Mat-Su Borough Department of Emergency Services (MSB DES) that everyone should avoid any travel on ice until next winter,” Davenport said. “If someone should witness a person or animal go through and become trapped in the ice they should immediately call 911 and try to prevent anyone else from venturing out on it and wait for trained and properly equipped rescuers to arrive.”

While it may be tempting to make one more fishing trip or race across the lake for one last ride on the snowmachine, people should consider the consequences of their actions before taking a chance on the ice.

“They should stay off of it,” Dan said. “Let the natural weather conditions progress and then we’ll have water and everyone can put their boats in.”