Thin ice causing big problems on northern Minnesota lakes

WALKER, Minn.  -- The Cass County Sheriff's Office responded to four incidents of vehicles going through thin ice during the past weekend. Just more than a week go, two other vehicles dropped into frigid waters.

  There were no serious injuries reported in the incidents, according to a release from the sheriff's office Monday.

Sheriff Tom Bursch said minimal snow conditions have enabled motorists to travel freely on area waterways, which has led to finding thin ice in areas specifically near ice heaves, rivers and springs.

According to the release, during years with normal snowfall, plowed roads on the ice help keep motorists away from vulnerable areas. Officials are urging strong caution be used on all area lakes. Although cold temperatures have helped ice conditions, the release said, ice can never be considered 100 percent safe.

Here is look at the four incidents over the weekend:

• On Saturday, a full size Chevrolet pickup went through the ice in the Wilson Bay area on Gull Lake near Brainerd at 9:47 a.m. Occupants escaped the vehicle and it was removed from the lake.
• Later that afternoon, a full size GMC pickup went through the ice in the area of Hunter Point on Gull Lake at 1:30 p.m. Occupants of the vehicle got out of the vehicle onto the hood of the truck and eventually away from the vehicle which was later removed from the lake.
• On Sunday, at 1:30 a.m. a vehicle went through thin ice on the northwest side of Pike Bay near Cass Lake. Responding to the scene were the Cass County Sheriff's Office deputies, Cass Lake Fire Department, Leech Lake Tribal Police, Leech Lake Tribal DNR and the Bemidji Fire Department. They found a partially submerged vehicle in shallow water and two people attempting to escape the vehicle. The occupants were able to get away from the vehicle and were treated and released by Leech Lake Ambulance. Arrangements are being made to remove the vehicle.
• Later Sunday morning, a GMC SUV was spotted at 8:30 a.m. by a deputy patrolling the Gull Lake area. The vehicle had gone through thin ice around an ice heave near Sandy Point. Occupants were able to get away from the vehicle safely and the vehicle was later removed from the lake.

Just over a week ago, two vehicles went through the ice on Leech Lake.