Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kelsey Demmert, 612-919-5918
Ice Out Declared on Lake Minnetonka
March 13, 2023 (Minneapolis, MN) - The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Freshwater, has declared Ice Out for Lake Minnetonka on March 13, 2024 at approximately 5:53 p.m. The longstanding tradition of declaring Ice Out on Lake Minnetonka is the unofficial start to the boating season. This declaration is two days past the record held since 1878.
The HCSO Water Patrol unit routinely patrols Lake Minnetonka to monitor ice thickness. Lake Minnetonka is just over 14,500 acres in size with 37 bays. Today HCSO deputies, along with members of Freshwater, were able to safely pilot a patrol boat through all the lake’s channels and bays without obstruction by ice.
“This year’s ice out is over a full month earlier than last year's declaration on April 18,” said Sheriff Dawanna Witt. “We’re sure that people will be excited for the extra time on the water this year, and we ask that everyone heading out to enjoy the lake keep in mind our basic water safety tips. Be especially mindful that despite the early Ice Out date, the water will still be very cold and hypothermia can happen very rapidly at these temperatures.”
Here are some specific tips from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol:
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Be extra vigilant operating a boat. There are many navigational buoys on Lake Minnetonka that are not in place yet.
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Wear a life jacket. Currently, water temperatures are very cold on all bodies of water. If you were to fall in, hypothermia can set in quickly in these conditions.
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Let someone know where you are and where you plan to go. When boating or spending time near water, make sure a family member or friend knows your whereabouts and when you plan to return.
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Always supervise children. Parents and caregivers are urged to keep a close eye on children when they are in a boat or simply near the water.
In addition, Sophia’s Law requires that all recreational boats with an enclosed accommodation compartment, including sailboats with motors, must be equipped with a watercraft carbon monoxide detector.
– HCSO–
Look for more news on the Hennepin County Sheriff's website at hennepinsheriff.org.
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