Lake overflow threatens snowmachiners, mushers

MAT-SU -- Lakes throughout the Valley may appear frozen, but that doesn't mean there isn't danger to contend with. Just ask Vicki Herman of Long Lake.

Two teen-age girls sought refuge at her house Monday night after one of their snowmachines got stuck in overflow. The girls, whose toes and hands were numb, had spent 45 minutes trying to free the machine before giving up and seeking help. They poured water out of their boots at Herman's house.

"They don't live on the lake and it was the first time they had ridden here," Herman said. "I've lived here 10 years and I've never seen the overflow that bad. You're not aware of it until you're in it."

The girls didn't know whose house they had found in the darkness, although it turned out Herman's daughter had gone to school with them. The girls' parents were called and helped get the snowmachine off the ice.

Herman said it's a good warning -- one that everyone who ventures onto the ice should heed.

"There's just a lot of overflow and I'm concerned for people," Herman said. "There's a good base but the weight of it is allowing the overflow to come up. It's not good conditions to be out there."

Overflow is just one of the potential icy traps this time of year. Thickness and conditions of ice can be deceiving and people must study conditions carefully to avoid getting into trouble, according to Mat-Su Dive and Rescue Team chief Ed McCain.

Information distributed at the team's Dec. 13 surface ice rescue practice at Big Lake included general rules for determining ice safety. McCain emphasized that the following guidelines are for solid ice, not rotten ice or ice covered by snow near water currents.

Cross-country skiers generally can negotiate over 3 inches of ice. Ice fishing requires 4 inches, snowmachining needs 5 inches and 6 inches is the minimum for ice boats. Group activities shouldn't occur on less than 7 inches, cars or trucks need at least 8 inches, and a 9-inch floor is needed if several vehicles are in the area.

New black ice is stronger than old milky ice, and rocks, logs and plants weaken ice. Underground springs weaken ice, and waterfowl and schools of fish prevent ice formation, according to information provided at the dive team's practice session.