(Pierre, SD) — Ponds, lakes and rivers across South Dakota are starting to freeze over. It’s a good sign for those itching to take part in some of the state’s popular winter sports. But experts are advising folks they should still wait a little bit longer for some more cold weather before doing things like ice fishing or skating. It’s important to know that ice needs to be at least four inches thick to support the average person. A pond typically needs to have at least four days of below freezing temperatures to reach that safety mark. However, factors like water currents, wind, and the water depth can affect the timing and cause ice to form unevenly. Anyone wanting to go on frozen waters should always take several samples of the ice’s thickness in different areas when it’s safe to do so.
