ICE SAFETY

Now that winter has arrived and the Tahoe Keys lagoons and waterways are covered with ice and snow, it is important to think about ice safety.

TKPOA Water Quality and Security Departments along with the South Lake Tahoe Fire and Rescue recommend you don’t venture out on our frozen lagoons and waterways, as they are considered unsafe. Please keep in mind:

Never allow children or pets to venture onto the ice

In the event they fall through the ice, there is a high probability of injury or death. TKPOA rules pertaining to pets and City of South Lake Tahoe Animal Control Codes do not allow an unleased pet to run or play on the ice.

Recognize that ice will never be completely safe

Conditions, and unseen or unknown factors, can render seemingly safe ice suddenly dangerous. Take all care and precautions to avoid mishaps and make sure you have a rescue plan in place, i.e.; throw able floatation device with an attached rope, for those who live on the water. Having a safety plan in place, should you see an ice incident, can save lives.

Understand that ice strength is not the same everywhere, not even on the same body of water

It is difficult to judge the strength of ice based on appearance alone. Other factors including snow cover, currents, bubblers to prevent ice around boats, distribution of the load on the ice, schools of fish, and other factors affect the thickness and safety.

Find an alternative to playing on the lagoons

Skaters can go to Heavenly Village Ice Rink (530- 5424230) or the South Tahoe Ice Arena (530-544-7465).

There are many interesting trails in and near the Tahoe Keys for walking and snowshoeing. All people who venture out during winter should carry emergency supplies no matter how long they plan to be out or where they plan to go. Always make sure that someone knows where you are going and when you are expected to return.

Please inform your renters that the ice within our community is unsafe. Renters and their families should refrain from walking on it for their own safety. Refrain from throwing rocks, trash and other items on the ice.

In the spring to 2019, the Water Quality Department introduced a new project in the TKPOA waterways. This project consists of 10 diffuser and over 8,000 feet of high pressure hose which covers approximately six acres of waterways operates nonstop throughout the year. One of the project goals is to have a continuous circulation of the water column. This will reduce the water’s ability to freeze and if it does freeze the ice will be thin and ununiform which makes this area extremely dangerous. The LFA project is located in the waterways that are north of Venice Drive and between Christie Drive and Lucerne Way (refer to picture to the right).

The TKPOA WQ Staff has placed ice caution signs around the TKPOA Waterways to remind the members, renters and visitors about the threat that ice pose (refer to pictures below).