The Ottawa River is beautiful this time of year and while February is often a safe time to get out on the ice for fishing and snowmobiling, the ice in many areas is thinner than usual.
A host of factors are responsible for thinner ice this year including intermittent periods of warm weather and rain, significant snowfalls just after the ice formed, water-level fluctuations and historically high water flows.
Many of our riverwatchers are reporting areas of open water or thin ice in areas that typically have thick ice cover. Before heading out on the ice make sure you know the ice conditions in your area and take proper precautions!
The Canadian Red Cross has great tips on ice safety. Click on the images below to learn more: