Whether it’s a personal pond, a local lake, or the Potomac River, emergency responders are strongly advising everyone to stay off the ice.
Emergency responders are warning the public against venturing onto ice-covered surfaces, be it in a residential pond, a nearby lake, or along the Potomac River.
Pete Piringer, a spokesperson for Montgomery County’s Fire and Rescue Service, shared with WTOP, “Natural ice poses significant risks — it may appear thick in some areas, while other spots could be dangerously thin.”
D.C. Harbormaster Lt. Andrew Horos, who is part of the D.C. police department’s Harbor Patrol Unit, reiterated these concerns.
Horos mentioned that the department is equipped with an airboat to navigate the severe cold weather currently affecting the area.
“When we operate the airboat, we might glide over a thick section of ice, yet when we shift to another part, the boat can break through and fall into the water. It’s incredibly challenging to gauge the ice’s thickness by mere observation,” he explained.
He emphasized that a seemingly tranquil ice-covered surface can be very misleading.
This is particularly true for the Potomac River, which has strong currents that can be quite hazardous.
“In contrast to a pond, where if someone falls through the ice, they may stay in that vicinity and be easily rescued, falling into the river with its powerful undertow can sweep you under the ice, creating a much more perilous situation,” Horos stated.
Piringer added that falling into cold water can be life-threatening, even when the water hasn’t frozen over.
“It only takes a few minutes for your breath to be taken away, as your body instinctively reacts, leaving you incapacitated and unable to escape,” he said.
In addition to the risks associated with breaking through the ice, Horos highlighted that walking on the river is against Municipal Regulations.
The regulations specify that “no individual shall participate in any recreational activities that may involve direct physical contact with ice on District of Columbia waters. This includes, but is not limited to, walking on the ice, ice skating, ice sledding, ice boating, ice fishing, and using any vehicle or device on the ice.”
Piringer advised that for those interested in enjoying ice activities, “the only truly safe ice is found in a controlled ice rink.”
