Ice Thickness

You’re on thin ice; residents urged to exercise caution near lakes across the region

Posted: January 24th, 2020

The Halifax Regional Municipality and Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency are urging residents to make sure the ice is thick enough before venturing out for a safe skate or hike.

Temperatures across the region are expected to climb over the coming days, which will have a direct impact on ice thickness on lakes across the municipality.

The municipality has an ice thickness testing program each winter, but residents are urged to always assess each situation and its conditions before taking a step onto the frozen water.

Throughout the winter months, ice thickness reports for lakes tested by the municipality will be available to the public at any time online at https://www.halifax.ca/recreation/programs-activities/skating/ice-thickness or by calling 902-490-3577. Please note reports will be updated weekly pending weather conditions.

More than 70 lakes, mostly in the urban core, are tested regularly by Parks and Recreation staff in the Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville, Hammonds Plains, Prospect, Harrietsfield, Hubley, Timberlea and Cole Harbour areas.

The Canadian Red Cross recommends that ice be at least 15 centimeters thick for individual skating, and at least 20 centimeters thick for group skating. Extreme caution is advised in areas where streams flow into and out of the lakes. Ice conditions may vary over the entire surface of the lakes and are subject to change with weather conditions.

For more information on ice factors and safety visit https://www.halifax.ca/recreation/programs-activities/skating/ice-thickness.