Ice Thickness

Updated March 20, 2023

The Ice Thickness Testing program has concluded for the 2022/23 winter season. It is no longer safe to be on frozen lakes and ponds, as there is noticeable thin ice and open water in many lakes across the region.

Each year, the municipality provides reports on ice thickness testing undertaken on more than 70 lakes throughout the region. This testing will continue next season.

This time of year, rising temperatures and snow cover on frozen bodies of water can increase the ice melt significantly each day. Residents are asked to take safety precautions for themselves and their families by avoiding any further recreation activities on frozen lakes and ponds, including walking, snowmobiling, and skating.

The Red Cross recommends the following:

  • 15 cm for walking or skating alone
  • 20 cm for skating parties or games
  • 25 cm for snowmobiles

 See a complete list of guidelines from the Canadian Red Cross regarding ice safety. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the process for ice thickness testing?

For conditions where ice is just forming, a small hole is created in the ice at the shoreline. Equipment used will depend on ice thickness. Once the hole has been cut, a reading is obtained by hooking a graduated rod at the bottom of the ice. The reading is rounded down to the nearest centimeter and recorded in the Ice Thickness Report, along with general conditions such as visual signs of open water, shell ice (a thin layer that is formed on top of the water) and surface conditions.

If conditions permit, three testing holes are made at 16 metre (50 foot) intervals out from the shoreline in a random pattern using a 10 centimeter (4") ice auger or other appropriate equipment. A reading is taken at each hole, again rounding down to the nearest centimeter and recorded in the Ice Thickness Report.

When does ice thickness testing begin?

Testing will begin once ice has formed and it is safe for staff to begin testing.

How thick does the ice need to be to be considered safe? 

The Red Cross recommends the following:

  • 25 cm for snowmobiles
  • 15 cm for walking or skating alone
  • 20 cm for skating parties or games
How many lakes and ponds does the municipality test? How are these sites selected?

Halifax Regional Municipality tests 70 lakes and ponds throughout the region. Site locations include municipally owned land with safe access points and which fall within a reasonable travel distance from site to site given available staff and resources.

How often are the sites tested for ice thickness? What causes delays in ice testing?

The objective is to test the ice once per week Delays can be caused by a variety of factors, including the following:

  • Thin ice and open water where an acceptable reading can not be obtained
  • The color of the ice can give a visual of its thickness (for example, black ice indicates that the ice is thin)
  • Weather can limit our ability to reach and test sites accurately
  • Availability of trained staff due to winter weather events (clearing streets and sidewalks may need to take priority)
Does the municipality test ice thickness during winter weather events?

No, during winter weather events, staff are addressing other priorities such as clearing streets, sidewalks, park parking lots, multi-use pathways, and regional parks 

Why doesn’t the municipality report measurements under 15cm?

Any reading under a safe measurement of 15cm may create a false sense that the ice is safe for use as ice thickness can change quickly with temperature, waterflow, etc.

Generally, how soon after an ice thickness test can residents expect the schedule below to be updated?

If conditions allow, testing will be done once per week and posted on the same day.

What other lake or pond conditions might impact ice formations?

Areas where water runs into a pond or lake may not form ice or have thin ice in that area.

 

Ice thickness testing

Location Location Checked Centimeters Comments Date Last Tested
Location Location Checked Centimeters Comments Date Last Tested
Albro Lake (Big) Beach Area 15cm Frozen Over March 10/2023
Albro Lake (Little) #27 Limardo Dr 15cm Open along the run March 10/2023
Banook Lake Birch Cove Beach 15cm Open along the run March 10/2023
Banook Lake Graham's Grove Beach Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Banook Lake Lion's Club Beach Area Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 22/2023
Barrett Lake Across from 691 Beaver Bank Rd Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Belchers Marsh Parkland Dr and Red Fern Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 7/2023
Belchers Pond Parkland Dr and Carlina Crt Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 7/2023
Bell Lake Abenaki Canoe Clug Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Bisset Lake Beach Area at Park entrance off Colby Drive Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Catamaran Pond At the end of St Lewis Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 7/2023
Chocolate Lake Behind Best Western Hotel Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 7/2023
Cow Bay Lake Cow Bay Beach Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Cranberry Lake Corner Main/Wildwood Blvd 15cm Open along the run March 10/2023
De Said Lake Caldwell Road by Shearwater Tested, does not meet safety standards Tested, does not meet safety standards
Doyle's Pond Opposite Fancyview Rd Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 8/2023
Duck Pond Cole Harbour Commons Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Fairbanks Fairbanks Interpretation Center 15 cm Frozen Over March 10/2023
First Lake At Kinsmen Centre Beach Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 28/2023
Five Island Lake
Flag Pond 1775 Cow Bay Rd Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Fletchers Lake 3719 Highway # 2, Fletchers Lake Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 28/2023
Frenchmans Lake Spectacle Lake Drive 15cm Frozen Over March 10/2023
Frog Pond At Purchells Cove Rd Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 8/2023
Governor's Lake
Grand Lake
Graves Oakley Pond Leilblin Dr behind the Horseshoe Pits Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 8/2023
Greys Lake (Pennant Lake)
Hail Pond Northwest Arm Dr and Walter Havill Dr Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 7/2023
Half Mile Lake 34 Red Maple Dr Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 7/2023
Hatchett Lake End of Lake Rd off Prospect Rd Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 7/2023
Henry Lake or Grover Lake Hettietsfield Rec Centre Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 8/2023
Hubley Mill Lake
Kearney Lake Kearney Lake Rd at Beach Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 7/2023
Kidston Lake Off Feldspar Cres Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Kinsac Lake Across from 779 Fall River Road Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 28/2023
Lake Charles Shubie Beach 15cm Open along the run March 10/2023
Lake Echo Community Centre Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Lake Fletcher Behind Fort Scenic Apartments Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Lake Major By mailbox on German Rd Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Lake William At Lands and Forest Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 28/2023
Long Lake Lake Major Rd at Second Bridge Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Long Pond At Beach Area - Herring Cove Rd Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 8/2023
Loon Lake Highway #7 at Legion Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
MacDonald Pond Shore Rd, Eastern Passage Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Maynards #1 Lakefront Road 15cm Frozen over March 10/2023
McCoy's Pond Across from 51 Church Street Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
MicMac Boat Launch Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Middle Porter's Lake Across from #149 Bellfountaine Rd Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Miller Lake 131 Sanctuary Crt Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Morash Pond Woodlawn Rd Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Morris Lake At Kinsman Beach Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Oathill Lorne Ave 15cm Frozen over March 10/2023
Paper Mill Lake Scott Saunders Memorial Park 105 Millrun Cres Bedford Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 28/2023
Paper Mill Lake Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Penhorn Beach 15cm Frozen over March 10/2023
Porter's Lake Across from 149 Bellefontaine Rd Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Powder Mill Lake On Rocky Lake Rd Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 28/2023
Punch Bowl Off Punch Bowl Dr Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 8/2023
Red Bridge Pond Braemar Pond Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Roaches Pond Near parking lot - Herring Cove Rd Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 8/2023
Russell Lake By Wharf 15cm Open along the run March 10/2023
Settle Lake Beach Area Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Sheldrake Lake
Springfield Lake At Beach Area Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Three Mile Lake Next to #1018 Cobequid Rd, Windsor Junction Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Tucker Lake Across from 1331 Beaver Bank Rd Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023
Whimsical Lake At Beach Area Mabou Ave Tested, does not meet safety standards Feb 8/2023
Williams Lake At the end of Acorn Rd Tested, does not meet safety standards March 10/2023