Amanda Vaughan
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, January 16, 2008

YELLOWKNIFE - The Yellowknife Fire Department and the NWT Power Corporation are yet again asking snowmobilers to stop risking their lives on Jackfish Lake, because there always seems to be someone who's not listening.

"We've recently seen fresh tracks leading up to the open water areas," said deputy Fire Chief Chucker Dewar.

Ken Dies, NWT Power Corporation's manager of system control and hydro planning, stands beside the stack of floating booms which will be placed in Jackfish Lake to deter snowmobile riders from "puddle jumping." - Amanda Vaughan/NNSL photo

The NWT Power Corporation releases warm water into the lake as part of its cooling system, causing Jackfish to have dangerously thin ice and patches of open water.

Dewar said every year the department warns the public about the dangers of "puddle jumping" or "skipping" snowmobiles, where riders speed over open water on purpose for a thrill.

It's not uncommon in many NWT and Nunavut communities, and it's also not uncommon for riders to die or be injured as a result of such stunts.

Dewar said riders who accidentally come across water are supposed to speed up in an attempt to use the momentum to cross safely, but in the well-known danger zone at Jackfish Lake, the tracks are clearly left by people seeking an adrenaline rush.

"There is adequate signage and warning devices on the lake and on the trail leading out to it, and there is plenty of public notification," Dewar said, referring to warnings on the city's website and through local media.

"People are making a conscious decision," he said.

In addition to all the warnings, he said the lake is also not set on a trail or in the middle of a convenient path by any means.

"There is absolutely no reason to be out there," he said.

In a recent release, the fire department reminded the public that they can and will charge individuals who are caught performing the stunt under the "Emergency and Protective Services bylaw." Dewar said, though, that the danger-seekers are rarely caught.

"The area is remote and difficult to police," he said, adding the Municipal Enforcement Division (MED) doesn't do regular patrols of the area because the lake is an unsafe place to drive a snowmobile.

"Adults should be riding responsibly and pass that responsibility on to younger riders," he said.

Ken Dies from the NWT Power Corporation said the Power Corp is planning on taking the decision to skip out of riders' hands.

"We are putting up barricades, which should put an end to it," he said.

Dies said the Power Corp has 120 10-foot-long floating barricades, which it plans to place in Jackfish Lake as soon as the ice melts in the spring. He said the barriers should prevent dangerous activities around the water.

"There will be no clear run at the open water," he said.

Dies said the Power Corp always takes an active role in placing signage and warning the public of the dangerous ice conditions, but they still see evidence of skipping.

He said the company has security cameras aimed at the lake, but much of the riding in the area happens after hours, and an accident can happen so fast, a security person is likely to only see the aftermath.

He said the barricades are one foot tall to begin with, and if that doesn't deter the danger-seekers, there are fence-like attachments which can raise the barricade's height up to three feet.

And for the snowmobilers, he just has the same old warning:

"It's not a very wise thing to do," said Dies. "You could lose your machine. You could lose your life."