News Release

Ice Thickness Info Now Available

(Friday, January 21, 2005)-- Halifax Regional Municipality’s Ice Thickness Testing Program is now in operation for the winter season.

For information about ice thickness on lakes tested by HRM, please contact 490-3577.  It is HRM’s intention to do weekly testing of lakes (pending weather conditions) and the Iceline message will be updated accordingly.

This information line is a free public service to residents and visitors within HRM and can be accessed 24- hours a day. More than 100 lakes, mostly in the urban core, are tested on a regular basis by trained Real Property Services staff in the Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville, Hammonds Plains, Prospect, Harrietsfield, Hubley, Timberlea and Cole Harbour areas.

The public is reminded that The Canadian Red Cross recommends that ice be at least 6 inches thick for individual skating and at least 8 inches thick for group skating. Extreme caution is advised in areas where streams flow into and out of the lakes. Ice conditions may vary over the entire surface of the lakes and are subject to change with weather conditions.

HRM reminds all citizens to make certain that ice conditions are safe and urges them to exercise extreme caution when walking, skating or participating in other outdoor events on frozen lakes this winter season.

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John O’Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
490-6531