According to the United States Coast Guard there is 7,000 drownings and 20,000 near-drownings each year with over half of those occurring in cold water (70 degrees or less). With a recent spell of cold temperatures, ponds, lakes and streams throughout Mid Missouri are starting to freeze over. The Boone County Fire Protection District would like to remind residents and visitors alike of the dangers of ice, what is considered “safe ice”, and what to do in the event you become submerged or someone you know falls through the ice.

No ice is safe. Every time you step onto the ice, you are putting yourself at risk of falling through and becoming a victim. Remember, ice seldom freezes at a uniform rate. Be especially wary of river ice, as it can be highly variable in thickness due to the erosive action of the underlying river current. River ice is usually 15% weaker than pond or lake ice. With the varying temperatures found in Mid Missouri, ice goes through a freeze-thaw cycle, which weakens ice significantly. Wind speed can also influence ice formation. Light winds speed up the formation of ice but strong winds force water from the edges, which ...