Michigan’s shorelines are frozen over. Officials say beware of shelf ice dangers

A pair of current ice rescues in Michigan have prompted officers to as soon as once more warn individuals about treading on the ice that will not be as protected as they assume.

Final weekend, first responders needed to rescue an individual who fell on “deep ice” close to South Haven. Shelf ice types close to shore and may lengthen tons of of ft throughout the Nice Lakes, however it’s by no means fully strong and may harbor holes, weak spots and different hazards.

Authorities mentioned the particular person was about 100 meters offshore, suffered a leg damage and needed to be taken to shore on a stretcher. They had been then transported by ambulance to a hospital in Kalamazoo.

“Sheet ice just isn’t a steady layer. Thinned or weakened areas could also be hidden, and the ice could collapse like a trapdoor resulting in a plunge into icy water,” the Nationwide Park Service warned individuals. “Whenever you enter the water, your physique goes into shock, and the character of the ice makes it troublesome to take away your self. Hypothermia units in inside a couple of minutes. Wave motion and fragile ice hinder rescue choices. Dying is probably going.”

Throughout this yr’s winter season, a number of individuals, together with animals, had been injured or killed by falling via the ice.

Along with the rescue close to South Haven, officers in Calhoun County rescued 4 horses the identical day after they fell via a frozen pond. The horses had been eliminated unhurt.

Earlier within the season, on December 14, 2025, two snowmobilers had been discovered useless after falling via the ice right into a lake in Mason County; and the weekend earlier than, two individuals died after they fell via the ice within the municipality of Kalkaska.

Officers are urging individuals to remain off the ice alongside the Nice Lakes and to take precautions if they’re on the ice on inland waterways.

The Indiana Dunes National Park posted memories on Facebook warned in regards to the hazard of flat ice as a result of its misleading nature on January 23 and 30, with a photograph of damaged flat ice on Lake Michigan.

“Blinding, however lethal! Keep on the seaside and please avoid the ice. Regardless of its uncommon magnificence, guests ought to pay attention to its risks. Do not danger your life! Particularly since it could be troublesome for some to inform the place the seaside ends and the ice begins. Benefit from the view of the ice – from a distance,” mentioned Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park.

Here is extra about how ice types on the board and what to do for those who fall via it:

How is shelf ice fashioned?

Flat ice types alongside seashores the place the ice piles up after being pushed towards shore. It may possibly kind tall piles and attain far into the lake, however isn’t as sturdy because it appears, consultants say.

“Shelf ice types throughout wave breaking and spray freezing happens throughout chilly air temperatures, creating ice with irregular patterns, stuffed with cracks, crevices and holes,” the NPS mentioned.

When wave motion breaks a gap in a layer of ice, the NPS says, the formation of an ice volcano or mound can start. Waves push water via a gap and onto the ice floor. The water continues to freeze and ultimately types a mound that may develop as much as six meters excessive.

“These hole shoots can stay hidden and are simply another excuse why ice on ice could be lethal. By no means try to climb an ice hill or ice volcano on ice,” the NPS mentioned.

How icy are the Nice Lakes?

Nice Lake researchers reported 48.42% protection on Tuesday, Feb. 3, based on the Biweekly updates from the US National Ice Center. Lake Erie is about 95% lined in ice, the very best proportion this time of yr in additional than 20 years.

What occurs if somebody falls into ice-cold water?

In keeping with the National Alliance to Prevent DrowningsThere are three phases that start when you fall via and turn into submerged in water:

• The “gasp factor”, which is a shock from the chilly, making it troublesome to breathe.
• Physique fatigue because of the chilly, making it more and more troublesome to drift or swim.
• Then there are hypothermia creatures, at this level lowering your time within the water is important.

What ought to I do if I fall into water via ice?

Michigan’s DNR Ice Safety Website offers a step-by-step information to surviving an ice fall:

• Keep calm
• Don’t take off winter garments. Heavy clothes doesn’t pull you down, however fairly offers heat.
• Flip the water within the route you got here from, that is in all probability the strongest ice.
• In case you have ice picks, dig the factors of the picks into the ice whereas kicking your ft vigorously to tug your self onto the floor by sliding ahead on the ice.
• Roll away from the world with weak ice. Rolling on the ice distributes your weight so you do not break via once more.
• Discover shelter and take off your moist garments, costume in heat, dry garments and drink heat, non-alcoholic and caffeine-free drinks as quickly as potential.
• Name 911 and search medical consideration for those who really feel disoriented or have uncontrollable shivering.

How do I do know if ice is protected?

Earlier than you stroll on ice, there are several factors to considertogether with: coloration of the ice, total look, kind of water physique, water depth and naturally the thickness (4 inches thick is the minimal thickness for a protected stroll), based on the DNR.

• There isn’t any dependable “inch thickness” to find out if ice is protected.
• You’ll be able to take a look at the thickness and high quality of the ice utilizing a spud, needle bar or auger.
• Strongest ice: clear with bluish tinge.
• Weak ice: ice fashioned by melted and refrozen snow. Seems milky.
• Keep off the ice with slush on it. Slush ice is barely half as robust as clear ice and signifies that the ice doesn’t freeze from the underside.
• A sudden chilly entrance with low temperatures may cause cracks inside half a day.
• Throughout a heat interval it may take a number of days for the ice to weaken, inflicting the ice to thaw through the day and freeze once more at evening.
• Ice weakens with age.
• If there may be ice on the lake however water alongside the shoreline, use additional warning.
• The stronger the present on the lake, the higher the prospect that the ice will find yourself in open water.
• Keep away from areas of ice with protruding particles akin to logs or brush.
• Control dock bubblers or de-icers because the ice close to these mechanisms is unsafe. At all times examine the ice and pay attention to your environment.

Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com