BELFAST PARKS & RECREATION

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT – 2009/2010

THIN ICE – Use Caution 

Recent weather conditions have created some dangerous conditions on many of Maine’s lakes and ponds.  (The Muck included!) 

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggests the following guidelines for fishermen, skaters, snow mobilers, ice boaters and anyone planning to go onto the ice: 

Ice Thickness – Permissible load

            2 inches – One person on foot 

            3 inches – Group in single file 

            7.5 inches – Passenger car (2 tons gross) 

            10 inches – Truck (3 1/2 tons gross)

            12 Inches – 7 t0 8 tons gross 

            15 inches – 10 tons 

The above table is for clear, blue ice on lakes. Reduce values by 15% for clear blue river ice. Slush ice is one half the strength of clear blue ice. 

WHEN IN DOUBT- DON’T VENTURE OUT!  

Posted 12/15/09