Pretty but perilous
Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods has issued a warning to individuals looking to step onto Lake Saracen, which is now partially frozen because of recent below-freezing temperatures.
Temperatures have been lower than normal over the past several days for this time of year in Arkansas, and many lakes, ponds and small streams are frozen, but that does not mean they are safe to walk or play on.
“The big problem we have is with people who are not familiar with the ice or familiar with ice conditions,” Woods said.
“If you have heard of any fatalities related to individuals falling into icy ponds or lakes, I’m sure everyone thought that day the ice was going to be thick enough,” Woods said. “Across the country there have been many instances where individuals have slipped through the ice. It’s because they thought it was safe, and it wasn’t.”
On Saturday afternoon, the temperature began to rise above freezing, which will make ice-covered water even more unpredictable.
“We can’t see any coring holes,” said Woods about Lake Saracen, where deputies have ordered individuals attempting to take photographs of the lake to stay off the lake itself.
“We can’t see any place where someone has checked the thickness of the ice. Lucky, we had at least one deputy that witnessed individuals on the lake and quickly ordered them off. However, if they return after it’s warmed up and gotten cold again, they might not be as lucky. That’s what we want to avoid because law enforcement personnel are busy answering emergency calls and providing critical resources to those in need.”
Woods said it’s important for everyone to remain off any icy body of water at this time.
It’s especially important for anyone who lives near retention ponds.
“In residential [areas] where you have aerators or bubblers, people may not even realize [the ponds] are frozen over,” Woods said. “That ice looks the same with a snow pack on it. It varies from the edge where it’s nice and safe out to the bubbler or aerator, and it’s not safe at all.”