A tip about tracks on the thin ice of Wascana Lake in Regina had police in the city scrambling to ensure no one was in jeopardy.
Police said Thursday that they were told about a hole in the ice on the lake and impressions, possibly bicycle tracks and footprints, in the area.
They stressed that they had not received any eyewitness accounts of a fall through the ice nor any reports of someone missing, but they wanted to check things out anyway.
“Police … did not find evidence that anyone had entered the water,” they said in a news release. “However, it was decided that a more thorough investigation, including an underwater search, should be conducted.”
They said their underwater investigation and recovery team would be at the lake with help from the fire department and Wascana Centre Authority.
Later, police reported that the team had completed its investigation (which was at an opening in the ice near the lakeshore pumphouse on the south side of the lake) and found nothing noteworthy.
Police said the team, which included a diver in the water, conducted a thorough search near the opening and lake bottom for a radius of approximately six metres.
Ice safety tips
Also on Thursday, provincial officials issued a news release alerting people to the dangers of venturing onto bodies of water that may not have a safe ice cover.
They noted that ice thickness depends on the water body and the surrounding conditions and pointed out that ice does not freeze at a uniform thickness. As well, ice strength can vary considerably from one area to another.
According to the advice from officials, people should test the thickness of ice before heading out and provided the following tips:
- There should be at least 10 cm (4 inches) of ice to walk on.
- There should be at least 15 cm (6 inches) to drive a snowmobile or ATV on.
- There should be at least 20 cm (8 inches) to drive a car or light truck on.
- There should be at least 30 cm (12 inches) to drive a heavy truck on.
Officials added that their ice thickness tips were a guideline only and it is up to individuals to make a decision about whether to venture onto the ice.
“Ice thickness also cannot be the sole measure of whether it is safe to go on,” they said. “Clear, hard ice is the only ice that is recommended to travel on.”
People should avoid ice that:
- Looks slushy.
- Thawed and then froze again.
- Is near moving water.
- Formed in layers because of sudden temperature changes.
People should also avoid structures on ice-like pressure ridges, such as when masses of ice collide.
Source: cbc.ca