How Thick Does Ice Have To Be Before It's Safe To Walk On. The ice nearest the shore is very variable. Dombrowski said it's an individual choice if you want to follow the pack.

Ice Safety North Dakota Game and Fish
Ice Safety North Dakota Game and Fish from gf.nd.gov

If you are hiking with someone else, or if there are other hikers on the ice, then four inches is the minimum, and you should walk in single file. If you are unsure if the ice is safe, don’t take your chances! We consulted the farmer’s almanac and for a single person hiking alone, three inches of solid, clear, blue/black ice on a pond or lake is the absolute minimum thickness you should attempt to walk on.

Insert A Tape Measure Into The Hole, Hook The End Onto The Edge Of The Ice, And Take The Measurement.


Check the ice thickness before you go on it. How lake ice forms, how thick it has to be before you can walk on it and other behaviors. Always go with a buddy.

One Person On Foot Or Skates:


We consulted the farmer’s almanac and for a single person hiking alone, three inches of solid, clear, blue/black ice on a pond or lake is the absolute minimum thickness you should attempt to walk on. Be wary of ice with snow on top because snow is a great insulator and will keep the ice from being very hard. If you are hiking with someone else, or if there are other hikers on the ice, then four inches is the minimum, and you should walk in single file.

Proceed With Caution If Your Reading Is At Least 4 Inches As 4 Inches Is The General Safety Depth For Walking.


At 5 inches of new clear ice should be enough to hold a single. A 3 1/2 tons truck: Ice is not considered safe to walk on until it is at least 4 inches thick.

Ice Is Seldom The Same Thickness Over A Single Body Of Water;


Do not even walk on ice 3 or less in thickness. Snowmobile or smaller atv, groups of people walking in a single line: 15 cm for walking or skating alone;

Four Inches Is The Minimum Ice Thickness For Walking.


The limitations therefore for ice road traffic would normally include a speed limit of 19 mph or 30km/h; Before heading out on ice: If you are unsure if the ice is safe, don’t take your chances!