Iowa Great Lakes — Saturday’s high temps in the upper 40s meant many people were out on the ice of the Iowa Great Lakes. But the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is urging caution, especially for snowmobilers.
The DNR is reminding snowmobilers, especially those operating on the Iowa Great Lakes that ice conditions change throughout the winter.
Freezing, thawing, and refreezing create ice heaves, berms, and frozen drifts, and heavy snowmobile use has created ruts and rough ice on the Okobojis and their sister lakes. Snowfall and drifting snow can hide these obstructions.
Officers with the DNR said there were a number of incidents last week where snowmobilers collided with these obstructions.
Snowmobilers should always use safe operating practices. Officers advise you to operate at reduced speeds to avoid colliding with hard-to-see obstacles.
