The rule of thumb I have heard is:
Anything "dark" or "black" is likely too thin.
4" thick ice is generally safe to walk on, but be prepared to know how to claw your way out if you step on a thin spot.
6" is usually enough for snowmobiles, light ATV's, and ice-houses.
12" is the recommended minimum for cars and light trucks in the 4000 to 6000 lb range.
The smallest CUT's would weigh less than a car (my little JD is about 2500 lbs with the front blade, more with the loader). The larger ones would start to go up over 10,000 lbs, maybe even 12,000 to 15,000 lbs.
24" thick is needed for any type large truck or heavy equipment.
My unofficial rule of thumb is to wait two weeks after the last report I hear of somebody's car going through the ice!
The hard part in the spring is to know when to stop going on the ice two weeks before the first car goes through.
The only sure way to know how thick the ice is is to drill a hole and measure it. A small, hand-driven ice-fishing auger can be useful for this.
Currents, springs, road drainage (with salt), wind-blown dirt on top of the ice, ice harvesting, and deep snow can all dramatically change the thickness of the ice in various areas, so don't assume the whole lake is uniform.
Here in MN, the State Department of Natural Resources has a stiff fine for the polution caused by vehicles or equipment that goes through the ice. Plus, they require you to get it removed immediately. That can be expensive in a deep part of the lake, or if the ice is at an intermediate thickness that is too thin to get the salvage equipment on, but too thick to be easily busted out of the way to use a small barge.
- Rick
Anything "dark" or "black" is likely too thin.
4" thick ice is generally safe to walk on, but be prepared to know how to claw your way out if you step on a thin spot.
6" is usually enough for snowmobiles, light ATV's, and ice-houses.
12" is the recommended minimum for cars and light trucks in the 4000 to 6000 lb range.
The smallest CUT's would weigh less than a car (my little JD is about 2500 lbs with the front blade, more with the loader). The larger ones would start to go up over 10,000 lbs, maybe even 12,000 to 15,000 lbs.
24" thick is needed for any type large truck or heavy equipment.
My unofficial rule of thumb is to wait two weeks after the last report I hear of somebody's car going through the ice!
The hard part in the spring is to know when to stop going on the ice two weeks before the first car goes through.
The only sure way to know how thick the ice is is to drill a hole and measure it. A small, hand-driven ice-fishing auger can be useful for this.
Currents, springs, road drainage (with salt), wind-blown dirt on top of the ice, ice harvesting, and deep snow can all dramatically change the thickness of the ice in various areas, so don't assume the whole lake is uniform.
Here in MN, the State Department of Natural Resources has a stiff fine for the polution caused by vehicles or equipment that goes through the ice. Plus, they require you to get it removed immediately. That can be expensive in a deep part of the lake, or if the ice is at an intermediate thickness that is too thin to get the salvage equipment on, but too thick to be easily busted out of the way to use a small barge.
- Rick
