Is it safe to walk on that frozen lake?

“Can I walk on that?” When the lake waters are open and lapping against the shore the answer, unless you are of divine origins, is a definite “No!” But, when a week of Arctic air gets its grip on the water and the lake looks as solid as a Walmart parking lot, the answer is “it depends…”

The NY Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recommends ice fishermen/woman, and others with the urge to stray from solid shore, follow these American Pulpwood Association guidelines. The relative safety of any frozen pond or lake can be determined by ice thickness. DEC emphasizes the use of good judgment. This guide is for clear, hard, ice on non-running water. Slush ice, common during January thaw and in the spring, is about 50 percent weaker. Clear ice over running water is about 20 percent weaker.

• 2”- one person on foot. Leave the dog and truck on shore.
• 3”-group in single file. No linking arms and skipping across the lake.
• 7.5”- one car (2 tons). You may want to weigh your passengers.
• 8”- light truck (2.5 tons). Empty that load of field stones from the bed.
• 10”-truck (3.5 tons). Ditto on the field stones.
• 12”- heavy truck (7-8 tons)
• 15”- 10 tons
• 20”- 25 tons

Be aware that many lakeside residents use bubblers to keep open water around their docks. These can create thin ice some distance away from the shore. And, while there is a certain romanticism to being a lonesome Adirondack hermit, it is always safer to use the buddy system when venturing out onto a frozen body of water.

Related: When Does Lake George Freeze?