Sheriff’s Office Declares ‘Ice Out’ at 5 a.m. Tuesday

(The following news release comes from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.)

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office has declared an “ice out” for 2012.

Today, at 5:00 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office determined the ice out was official. The Sheriff's Office declares an ice out when a boat can be piloted on Lake Minnetonka through the "Narrows" around Big Island and back to the Sheriff’s Water Patrol Unit located on Lake Minnetonka in Spring Park.

Typically on Lake Minnetonka, the ice out takes place in mid-April. This year’s ice out is among the earliest dates ever for an ice out. Since the record-keeping began in the late 1800’s, there have only been a handful of years in which the ice out took place in March.  The last time there was an ice out in March was in 2000 when it took place on March 18.

The Sheriff’s Office urges people to take precautions when they are on the water – or near water -- this time of year. Safety reminders include:

• Use caution when boating on Lake Minnetonka, there are many navigational buoys that are not in place yet.
• It’s especially important to wear a life jacket when boating. At this time, water temperatures on all bodies of water are cold, if you were to fall into water, hypothermia happens quickly in these conditions.
• When boating or spending time near water, let someone know where you are going and when you will return.
• Many children have extra free time during Spring Break vacation.  Children enjoy exploring creeks, ponds, rivers, and lakes. Parents and caregivers are urged to supervise children when they are near the water.