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.Â
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the process for ice thickness testing?
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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?
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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?Â
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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?
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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?
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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?
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No, during winter weather events, staff are addressing other priorities such as clearing streets, sidewalks, park parking lots, multi-use pathways, and regional parksÂ
- Why doesn’t the municipality report measurements under 15cm?
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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?
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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?
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Areas where water runs into a pond or lake may not form ice or have thin ice in that area.
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Location | Location Checked | Centimeters | Comments | Date Last Tested |
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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 |