March 2017 Newsletter: Winter Boat Safety

The Ballston Lake Fire Department published this information notice recently:

Safety on the Lake Ballston Lake provides our community with year round recreation. With boating and swimming during the summer months and ice skating, snowmobiling, ice fishing and motor cycling during the winter months. This past winter the lake presented some very hazardous conditions with the above normal temperatures and mild conditions. Some large areas of open water were present near streams that enter the lake and also near the outlet. We had two close calls this past winter involving people who fell into these areas of open water while traveling on the lake. Luckily in both cases rescues were successful. The Fire

Department would like to remind the community that extra caution is needed when utilizing the ice covered lake. Please be aware that some lake residents place bubblers around their docks and structures to prevent these areas from freezing over. Please stay clear of these areas. The Ballston Lake Fire Department is equipped with cold water rescue suits and an air boat that can travel over ice, snow, or open water to aid with cold water rescue emergencies. Training is done during the winter months on this equipment

We also are repeating this notice that we included in the fall newsletter:

Be cautious when using the frozen lake. We are spring fed and also have streams flowing in – both create weaknesses in the ice, as do bubblers surrounding docks. When venturing out on a frozen lake there is wisdom in carrying something sharp that can grab the ice from open water should you go through. (Wet mittens/gloves won’t do it.) Double pointed nails inserted into two wooden handles, connected by a light rope work well. It is also a good practice to keep rope (with something weighted on one end), a life ring or other floating object on your dock all winter. It can be tossed to someone in danger. Remember… “Throw – Tow!”