Although shelf ice can create stunning visuals perfect for photographs, it poses significant risks, especially when temperatures increase.
Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit tells us he advises that it’s best to admire it from a safe distance.
“The problem with people that want to go out on the ice, it may look like it’s sturdy, but there may be a thin layer of ice that can break, and then obviously you’ll end up in the water,” Heit says. “And obviously with the temperatures there right now, hypothermia could set in quicker.”
Shelf ice presents numerous hazards that could potentially be life-threatening.
“I mean, we understand that people are curious, they want to climb on those, they call them shelf ice mountains, but you may not realize it and you’re stepping on unstable ice that could lead to you falling in,” Heit says.
When it comes to inland lakes, it’s advisable to carry a tool to check the thickness of the ice before walking on it, which should ideally be between four to five inches of solid ice. If you happen to fall through, remember to kick your legs and attempt to pull yourself back onto the ice as quickly as possible.
