(Spirit Lake)—It may come as a surprise, but ice conditions on area lakes are highly variable, even in light of the recent cold weather. That word from Jeff Morrison, a Conservation Officer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. He tells KUOO news two vehicles have gone through the ice on Big Spirit Lake within the past week or so…(click here for comment.) “For whatever reason even though we’ve had cold temperatures Big Spirit in particular is showing signs that the ice just isn’t really very good in certain spots. I don’t know if we’ve got springs that are flowing…you wouldn’t think so with the drought conditions we’ve got…but there’s some strange things going on up on Big Spirit in particular.”
As a result, he says it would probably be a good idea to keep cars, pickups and s-u-v’s off until conditions improve…(click here for comment.) “The area where guys have been going through is a little bit south of Marble Beach, so that’s probably an area you just want to stay well away from. I think it’s still a little bit early to be out driving on the lake with full size vehicles. ATVs, snowmobiles are probably okay as long as you stay in mostly the general areas and evaluate the ice conditions as you go. The same with walkers. But when you’re talking about a full size vehicle, I think it’s still a little bit early. I would wait a little bit longer.”
Morrison says they’re hopeful the colder weather that’s in the forecast for the upcoming weekend and next week will help thicken the ice in time for Winter Games.
