(Beaver Dam) Local and state safety officials are urging the public to be careful when traversing any frozen waterbody. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources say ice is still forming and ice thickness will vary, adding that hazards could be covered by light snowfall. Beaver Dam Fire Chief Michael Wesle says that no ice is safe.
“Beaver Dam Lake especially, you get in the area here, and it’s not uncommon to have ice where you can drive a vehicle on not too far away from either open water or thin ice,” says Wesle “So, if you actually go through our Facebook page] ever if you [are] ever interested, we do have a chart, you know, a little, that will [you] when you should be on the ice, what you can do on the ice.”
The DNR does not monitor ice conditions, but they are monitored locally. Wesle recommends seeking out people with experience.
“Those are the people you [want to] talk to,” Wesle says. “So, you [want to] talk to people that have experience on the body of water. Friends, family, and anything like that. Usually, a bait shop is a great place to go. They’ll tell you, hopefully, you know, how thick the ice is, the conditions of it, and oftentimes, obviously they might give you some tips and pointers about where to go.”
Other safety tips for venturing out on the ice include carry a cellphone, wear proper clothing, take an extra pair of gloves, do not travel in unfamiliar areas, and have a plan in place noting where you will be and when you will return home.
Click HERE for more information from the DNR.
