News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Jon Collins, 612-919-5918
March 27,
2017 (LAKE MINNETONKA) – The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the Fresh
Water Society are declaring “Ice-Out” on Lake Minnetonka. The official call was
made at approximately 5:06 p.m.
The
declaration is made when a boat can be piloted through all of the lake’s
channels and bays without obstruction by ice. Lake Minnetonka has 37 bays and
is more than 14,500 acres in size.
This year’s
ice-out was long awaited after several summer-like days in early March, however
the declaration came 13 days later than last year. The median ice-out date is
April 14, and the earliest recorded was on March 11, 1878.
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 or other area lakes, 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. 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.
- Parents and caregivers are urged to
supervise children when they are near the water.
- HCSO -
Look for more news on
the Hennepin County Sheriff's website at http://www.hennepinsheriff.org.
Learn more about the Fresh Water Society here.
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