Brandon Twp – Skating, snowmobiling, and ice fishing are common cures for the winter blues.
Yet under the feet of the winter ice- warriers lies danger.
‘I don’t trust any ice because there are too many different kinds,? said Deputy John Graham of the Oakland County Sheriff Department Marine Division.
‘Dark, clear, solid ice is certainly safer than the white spongy stuff. But the weather we’ve had lately is so unstable you just can’t trust the ice,? he said.
The county does, however, maintain that if the ice is more than four inches thick, it is considered acceptable for general activity such as ice skating, hockey, or fishing.
Driving cars or trucks on the ice is never safe, said Graham. Brandon Fire Chief Bob McArthur says snowmobiles on the ice are extremely dangerous. The biggest myth, said McArthur, is that snowmobilers can avoid going through the ice by ‘jumping or flying over? the thin spots.
‘Nobody recommends a vehicle on the ice,? said McArthur.
‘Snowmobiles are dangerous because folks think if they are going fast enough the weight is not a factor but that’s not true.?
National Weather Service Meteorologist Steven Freitag said ice formation and thickness depends on the depth of the lake, the type of water source, and weather conditions, and said he guesses it may take several nights and days of severe arctic temperatures to create an ice depths of at least four inches.
‘Early in the week (of Jan. 5) we may get what we wish for with temperatures in the teens at night and 20’s on Monday and Tuesday,? said Freitag.
Chief McArthur warns, however, that any and all activity on the ice should not take place until it has been checked in each area of activity by cutting in to check for thickness.
‘Ice needs to be inspected at all times,? said McArthur.
‘The problem around here is many of our lakes are spring fed which creates unstable areas.?
‘What may seem safe at one spot might not be at another and until we’ve had a lot of cold weather, people need to check for solid ice.?
In a county with up to half-a-dozen lakes within a mile radius, Oakland County is riddled with water masses of various sizes, shapes, types, and depths.
Both man-made and natural, lake depths and sources greatly affect safety conditions of the ice.
While some may think a shallow lake freezes quicker, or earlier in the season, the lake may be fed by underwater springs which creates flowing movement to prevent heavy ice formation.
McArthur advises that of what may seem like stable ice in one area can lead to critically thin a few feet away.
‘The best advice is just don’t be there,? said McArthur.
‘The important thing is to check it out and use it with common sense.?
Brandon Fire Chief Bob McArthur says this time of year the department gets many calls of animals going through the ice.
Ice break-through happens in North Oakland County at least two times a year. Avoid the ice and prevent tragedy.
‘Do not attempt a rescue.
‘First call 911.
‘If a rope is nearby, throw it to the victim to tie around their trunk.
‘Do not depend on the hole in the ice as a marker because there may be multiple holes as the victim struggles to free himself.
‘Do not attempt to rescue an animal.
‘Call 911 and stand by to assist the emergency crew to locate the animal.
‘Always carry a floatable object with you while on the ice.
‘Carry Ice-Alls (screw driver type prongs) with you, in the event of break through use Ice-Alls as picks in the ice to hold yourself out of the water.
‘If you fall through try to keep your arms up on the ice.
‘Do not struggle. The air trapped in your clothing will act as insulation.
‘Drinking alcohol thins the blood; in the event of an ice break through, alcohol in one’s system increases the hypothermic risk.

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