(Spirit Lake)– Stay off the ice and keep to the trails. That’s the message the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is relaying to snowmobilers and ATV operators just one week before Winter Games.
Jeff Morrison, a Conservation Officer with the DNR, says there’s heightenend concern now with snow on the ground. He says some are under the pretense that with the recent cold, the ice is thick and is safe everywhere. Morrison says that is NOT the case. As a matter of fact, he says there was still some open water in places…even on East Lake Okoboji…as recently as earlier this week…Click here for comment from Jeff Morrison
The concern, according to Morrison, is over a wide variation in ice conditions. He says they range from little or no ice at all in places, to not too bad in others. Morrison says it’s spotty and can vary a lot just over a small distance…
Click here for comment from Jeff Morrison
Morrison also warns that the snowfall we’ve received will complicate matters, as it will hinder ice that’s already bad from getting any thicker because snow acts as insulation.
Morrison also urges ATV operators to stay off the ice.
