Even though spring fever is upon us, Iowan's need to remember important safety tips before going out onto the water. The melting of snow and spring rains mean high water, swollen rivers, swollen streams and potential flooding. All of these elements can be very dangerous if boaters are not cautious before venturing out onto the water.

Make sure that every person is wearing a United States Coast Guard approved life jacket that is properly fitted. The life jacket will save your life and keep you afloat if you find yourself in the water unexpectedly. It will also help you survive against cold water and hypothermia until help arrives.

File a float plan with your family and friends and always go boating with a buddy. Looking for floating debris in the swollen lakes, rivers and streams is much easier with an extra set of eyes. Floating tree limbs and obstructions can be hidden just below the surface causing damage to the boat and even ejecting passengers into the water.

The single most important equipment carried in your boat is your life jacket. Wear it, so you don't become floating debris in Iowa's lakes, rivers and streams!


High Water Presents Safety Concerns for Early Season Boaters
DES MOINES – A combination of spring fever and high waters can be dangerous especially early in the season with some boaters wanting to get on the water regardless of the conditions. The melting snow and frequent spring rains have swollen Iowa’s rivers, lakes and streams to the point of causing some flooding and washed in downed tree limbs and other debris.

One of the most important safety tips is for boat operators to not operate the craft faster than the conditions or their abilities allow. Slow down, especially during high water and flooding.

“Floating tree limbs and other obstructions can be hidden just below the water surface and striking them can cause damage to the boat or can eject passengers,” said Susan Stocker, boating education coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “Look for floating debris. Often the water is stained from runoff so encourage all passengers to help spot any hazards.”

Another key safety tip is for all passengers to wear a properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. Check the condition of the life jacket before heading to the water and replace any that are not in good condition. “A life jacket can save your life and keep you afloat if you find yourself unexpectedly in the water. It will also help you survive against cold water and hypothermia until help arrives.”

She said that anytime boaters head out for the water they should leave the details of their trip with family or friends.



Ice Safety
As freezing temperatures continue in Iowa people are enjoying many activities on the ice. Ice Safety should be the #1 thought on everyone's mind, to avoid a disaster!

Iowa's first ice signals the start of the ice fishing season. Communities of shacks, shanties, and five-gallon buckets will sprout up all over Iowa's lakes and ponds. Winter's first freeze-over does not mean the ice is safe for recreation. It takes prolonged freezing temperatures to produce solid ice, and even then, some ice may still not be safe. Anglers need to be cautious when out on any ice, but even more so during early and late ice.

Those who venture out onto frozen waters should recognize the types and characteristics of ice, and the maximum load capacity of each. Many factors affect the strength and thickness of ice. Slush ice, for example, is half as strong as clear, blue ice. Slush shows weakening of the ice and should be considered a danger sign. Clear, blue river ice is 15 percent weaker than pond or lake ice. New ice is usually stronger than old ice because the bond between the ice crystals decay with age. Dark or honeycombed ice indicates deterioration and should be avoided. Even if the cold snap halts the deterioration process, dark or honeycombed ice will never refreeze to its original strength.

Light winds accelerate formation of ice, while strong winds force water from beneath the ice and can decay the edges. Snow can insulate ice and keep it strong. It can also insulate it to keep it from freezing, or hide cracked, weak or open-water areas. Areas covered by snow should be approached cautiously. Continuous travel over the same area of ice will also weaken it. Lakes with moving water, whether it be from an inlet canal, springs, groundwater seepage or an outlet, should be viewed with skepticism. Water movement, no matter how light, retards freezing and can leave hard-to-detect thin spots.

Ice forms at different rates in different places and can be a foot thick in one spot and an inch thick in another. According to ice strength figures compiled by the Lumbermen's Safety Association and other sources, 3 inches of clear, blue ice will support one person walking. General use such as ice fishing or skiing requires at least 4 inches of good ice, 5 inches for snowmobiling. At least 8-12 inches of solid ice is needed to support a car or light truck, while 12-15 inches is the minimum thickness for medium trucks.

Never assume ice is safe and always test thickness with an auger or spud bar before going out.


*Graphic provided by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources