But beware of trouble spots
Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Nov 29/00) - If you haven't discovered it already, it is OK to play on the ice.
Members of the Yellowknife Fire Department were out Sunday testing the thickness of ice on lakes around Yellowknife.
All ice tested was thicker than the minimum of six inches the department recommends for safe recreation on the ice.
"The ice was anywhere from seven inches to 14 inches," said Fire Chief Mick Beauchamp.
"For recreational use, like skiing or snowmobiling the ice in most places is safe, but people still need to be cautious."
As the department recently advised, one spot that will remain unsafe for the winter the patch of Jackfish Lake ice near the power plant. Water used to keep the diesel generators cool keeps the part of the lake adjacent to the power plant open through the winter.
The ice beneath the bridge to Latham Island was also a troubled spot because of a strong current. A new floating dyke anchored to the bottom with chains has proven an effective solution; the ice there is now 14 inches thick, Beachamp reported.
"They're going to be taking the frost fence down so people can start passing underneath the bridge," said Beauchamp.
Ice tested Sunday included Kam Lake, Range Lake, Niven Lake, Long Lake, Frame Lake, Back Bay, Yellowknife Bay, Stock Lake and Fault Lake.
This is a banner year for overflow. The slushy mix found between the snow and ice is a bane to cross country skiers and snowmobilers.
"There's a tremendous amount of overflow, everywhere we go," said Beauchamp.
