White or “snow” ice is only about half as strong as new, clear ice. For medium-sized trucks, there must be at least 12 to 15 inches.To drive a car or small pickup on ice you need at least 8 to 12 inches of ice.For snowmobiles and ATVs, you need at least 5 inches.For ice fishing, ice skating and walking, you need 4 inches or more of ice.Stay off the ice if it is less than 2 inches thick!.If you decide to venture out on the ice, remember the following guidelines: Ice that appears to have thawed and refrozen.Flowing water around the edges, just below the surface, or over the top of the ice.If you see any of the following conditions, do NOT go out on the ice: Before fishing, skiing, snowmobiling or engaging in any other activities on ice, check with local officials, such as your State Department of Natural Resources, who monitor the body of water. Ice Recreation: Ice on lakes and streams can be deadly. Ice jams can act as a dam, resulting in severe flooding. A rise in the water level or a thaw breaks the ice into large chunks which become jammed at manmade and natural obstructions. Ice Jams: Long cold spells can cause rivers and lakes to freeze. Black ice can also form when roadways are slick from rain and temperatures drop below freezing overnight. Bridges and overpasses are particularly dangerous because they freeze before other surfaces.īlack Ice: Black ice is a deadly driving hazard defined as patchy ice on roadways or other transportation surfaces that cannot easily be seen. It is often clear (not white) with the black road surface visible underneath. It is most prevalent during the early morning hours, especially after snow melt on the roadways has a chance to refreeze over night when the temperature drops below freezing. Even small accumulations of ice can be extremely dangerous to motorists and pedestrians. Ice can disrupt communications and power for days while utility companies repair extensive damage. Heavy accumulations of ice can bring down trees and topple utility poles and communication towers.