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Officials Sounding Alarm Over Dangerous Ice Conditions In Days Leading Up To Winter Games

January 24, 2024 Steve Schwaller

(Okoboji)– Variable at best, questionable at worse. That’s how one member of Arnolds Park-Okoboji Fire and Rescue is describing the current ice conditions on East and West Okoboji and the lower chain of lakes in the Iowa Great Lakes. Jim Hentges says he’s witnessed that personally just within the past day or two…

“It’s a false sense of security because we had such cold weather. I was out digging holes trying to get across Smith’s Bay with my Ranger, which is a lot lighter than a vehicle. I was drilling holes and I’d hit 12 inches and 50 feet later it was six inches. And it would go like that all the way across. I turned around went back. I never even made it. So it is questionable at best and it can be very dangerous at this point, especially with high traffic. This is me, personally. I hope and pray that people are wise and stay off the ice with their vehicles. I know it’s a pain to walk but it’s only a block or two from where you can park. So stay off the ice. Park, stop at the bars on your way by if you’re going out to watch things, but be safe. I don’t want to be the one to come get you.”

Hentges says it’s especially concerning with the large volume of people expected to come into the area this weekend for Winter Games. A significant heave has also developed in the area of Fort Dodge Point, near Smith’s Bay.

In a post on their Facebook Page, the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce urges everyone not to drive ANY vehicle onto the lakes this weekend. They add, however, that the ice IS safe enough to support foot traffic in the areas where the various events will be taking place.

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