The recent string of mild temperatures in Winnipeg has officials urging people to stay off frozen bodies of water.
Police received multiple reports of people walking on the frozen rivers this weekend but say the ice isn’t thick enough.
The unseasonable temperatures have even forced The Forks to close a portion of their rink under the canopy.
According to the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba, 500 people drown in Canada every year while a third of drownings in Manitoba happen between October and April.
The society says as a guideline, if the ice is:
3” or less – Stay off
More than 4” – Walking, Ice fishing, Cross-country skiing
More than 5” – One vehicle (snowmobile or ATV)
They also say if you do go on the ice take precautions such as going with a buddy, bringing a rope and not going out on the ice at night.
Officials say it’ll be at least another few weeks before even considering if the waters are frozen enough and that any areas which are safe to go on will be marked.
