(WEST FARGO, ND) – Residents in West Fargo are reminded of the dangers of iced over retention ponds and the Sheyenne River and are being asked to stay off iced over bodies of water.
West Fargo Fire Chief Dan Fuller said area retention ponds, along with the river, are beginning to ice over, creating potential dangers for residents. The water is not meant for recreation of any kind, he said.
The strength of ice on public retention ponds and area rivers is lowered by several factors including layers of water flowing under the ice, changing water levels due to pumps, daily temperature changes, salt water drainage and agitation pumps placed throughout the ponds. Snow can serve as additional insulation on the ice, impacting ice formation and masking signs of unsafe ice conditions.
