Ice Measurement and Safety

To ensure the safety of Yellowknifers, the City of Yellowknife has contacted Great Slave Snowmobile Association to start ice testing when the ice begins to form on the lakes within the City.  Once ice testing has started, measurements will be posted on Monday mornings until all areas tested have reached an ice thickness of 6 inches (15 cm).

For your safety, please stay off the ice until it measures 6" as water does not freeze uniformly across it's surface.  It may be 6" where it's tested, but only 4" or 2" at a different location.

Please call 9-1-1 or 873-2222 if you see that someone has fallen through the ice or is in distress.

Safety Tips

The City of Yellowknife Fire Division strongly recommends that you stay off the ice until it measures 6 inches thick.  Please be careful when traveling on the ice, especially in a vehicle or on a machine, and keep these tips in mind:

• Be aware of your surroundings
• Travel with a partner
• Carry dry clothing and an emergency kit including matches
• If travelling in a group (when snowmobiling), spread out when stopped (to spread the weight across the ice sheet)
• Carry a form of communication to call for help if your break through the ice
• Stay off the rivers; flowing water under the ice creates very thin ice even in cold temperatures
• Leave a travel plan behind and an expected return date/time
• If you are unsure of the ice thickness, drill a test hole or stay off the ice