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Frozen Shuswap Lake beautiful but fire chief warns of dangers

Temperatures forecast to warm heading towards weekend
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A few dozen people took to the ice of Shuswap Lake on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, despite temperatures hovering in the -15 to -20 C range, where they were playing hockey, riding fat bikes, cross-country skiing and generally enjoying the beauty of nature. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

The weather was cold but the smiles were wide.

A few dozen people could be seen on the snow-covered ice of Salmon Arm Bay on Sunday, Jan. 2.

The modes of transportation were varied, with some people donning skates to play hockey on hastily cleared rinks, while others were on cross-country skis, thick-tired ‘fat bikes’ or snow shoes.

With wind and cloudy skies the temperature didn’t lend itself to loitering or lingering too long.

Laura Derksen braves the cold on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 as she watches her grandson Tim Grant play hockey on a rink ready-made for him. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
Laura Derksen braves the cold on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 as she watches her grandson Tim Grant play hockey on a rink ready-made for him. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

The temperature is expected to warm up throughout the week, according to Environment Canada.

Salmon Arm Fire Chief Brad Shirley said the fire department encourages people to stay off the lake. If people are going to be on it, they should “do it cautiously and stay close to the shore.”

He said it’s difficult to predict how thick or thin the ice is in different areas and the thickness can change quickly with changes in temperature or lake movement.

In February of 2021, cold temperatures combined with no snow, so clear ice drew many members of the community to the bay.

Read more: VIDEO: Salmon Arm residents enjoy Valentine’s Day skate on frozen Shuswap Lake

Read more: Memories of the frozen Shuswap Lake



martha.wickett@saobserver.net
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Martha Wickett

About the Author: Martha Wickett

came to Salmon Arm in May of 2004 to work at the Observer. I was looking for a change from the hustle and bustle of the Lower Mainland, where I had spent more than a decade working in community newspapers.
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