Crime & Safety
Ice On Monmouth County Ponds Not Frozen Enough Yet, Says County
Park rangers have been testing the ice on Monmouth County lakes and ponds. As of Monday, it has not yet reached the 4-5 inch thickness.
MONMOUTH COUNTY — Although it's been cold, Monmouth County Park rangers issued a warning Monday that local ponds are not safe for skating or other winter activities.
Park rangers have been testing the ice on Monmouth County lakes and ponds and found that currently, the ice is simply not thick enough yet. Parks rangers have been testing it every day.
In most cases, ice must be 4 – 5 inches thick to safely support people.
Find out what's happening in Holmdel-Hazletfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Testing ice requires systematic daily sampling from multiple locations.
The appearance of ice can be deceiving, especially to children who may be tempted to venture out onto a frozen pond or lake. Even if ice can support the weight of a child at the water’s edge, there are often thin spots from moving water or other conditions that will not support their weight.
Find out what's happening in Holmdel-Hazletfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Parks superintendent Tom Fobes reminds parents to talk with their kids about ice safety.
“We love to see kids outside, staying active during winter months,” Fobes said. “But they should only go out on the ice in an area that is posted as safe and is monitored daily by someone with proper training.”
The county will post signs when a pond or lake has safely frozen over, letting the public know it is safe to go on it.
County Park Rangers are monitoring conditions daily.
They will also post on the Park System’s Winter Activities when ponds and lakes are frozen solid enough for ice skating and ice fishing.
"At least once every winter we get a call about some kids venturing out onto the ice. They can be as young as 9 years old or they're teenagers," said Atlantic Highlands Police Capt. David Rossbach. He said he was thankful they haven't had an ice rescue in that town in more than 30 years.
Patch's coverage of human and dog fatalities when falling through ice in New Jersey in the past several years:
Three People Rescued From Icy Morris County Lake: Photos (Jan. 18, 2022)
2 Teenage Boys Die After Falling Through Ice In New Jersey (Jan. 23, 2020)
Dog Dies After Falling Through Ice In Middletown Thursday (Jan. 11, 2018)
Dog Falls Into Icy Pond Near East Brunswick (Jan. 26, 2016)
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