WYOMING — With temperatures trending higher than average for this time of year, Wyoming State Parks and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) are jointly asking residents and visitors to use caution and prioritize safety when recreating on ice.
According to WGFD, the fluctuating temperatures can make ice stability unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Rangers and game wardens routinely patrol frozen lakes, reservoirs and access points, responding to emergencies and educating people about ice safety.
“While winter offers stunning landscapes and exciting recreational activities, it’s important to remember that ice is never 100% safe,” Chief Ranger of Wyoming State Parks Mark Caughlan said via press release. “By working closely with Wyoming Game and Fish, we’re able to combine training, patrol presence and public education to help reduce preventable accidents.”
While recreating on the ice, people should be aware that the changing thickness can pose various risks. Pressure ridges, inlets and vegetation could indicate thinner or unstable ice. It’s possible that weak ice might not support even light foot traffic if conditions are unstable — staying off is the safest option. The agencies also recommend that people should be prepared to self-rescue and carry safety equipment, like personal flotation devices and ice awls.
Below is a general reference guide on how thick the ice should be to support various vehicles:
- Less than 4 inches of ice: stay off
- At least 6 inches: ATV, UTV and snowmobile
- 9 to 12 inches of solid ice: car or small truck
- 13 to 15 inches of solid ice: medium pickup truck
“As ice begins to form this winter, drill test holes to determine thickness, and remember thickness is not always uniform,” WGFD Deputy Chief Game Warden Craig Smith said via press release.
