Ice skating on the Canal today - safe?

[Anonymous]

For those of you who know a lot about skating on frozen bodies of water - would you skate on the canal today?

My DH wants to take our DC ice skating on the canal today. He did so a week and a half ago when we saw many others on the canal near chain bridge road skating. It was well below freezing this past weekend but we had a few warmer days last week and I’m not so sure about today.

I figure those that may have grown up or know a lot about the nature of ice may have some better insight. Thanks-

[Anonymous]

It has been amazing!

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t. It’s supposed to be warming up. So depends on how much direct sunlight hits the ice and for how long it might be weakened

[Anonymous]

It’s not forecast to get above 32 today.

[Anonymous]

Have you read about all the bacteria that is being sent into the canal because of a broken sewer system pipe?E coil, staph, and MRSA. Not something you want to bring home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you read about all the bacteria that is being sent into the canal because of a broken sewer system pipe?E coil, staph, and MRSA. Not something you want to bring home.

The canal has miles of sections with skatable ice upstream of the sewer line break.

How does contaminated water flow uphill to reach all those places, which aren’t actually even connected to each other? Can you please explain that to me? I didn’t go to an Ivy, so maybe I don’t understand gravity as thoroughly as you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t. It’s supposed to be warming up. So depends on how much direct sunlight hits the ice and for how long it might be weakened

Do you understand how long it takes to melt 10 inches of ice with 34 degree daytime temps? Or even 40-50 degrees?

[Anonymous]

I drove across chain bridge today which has appeared to be frozen for over a week. I was stunned to see water movement today given the weekend temps. I would be careful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those of you who know a lot about skating on frozen bodies of water - would you skate on the canal today?

My DH wants to take our DC ice skating on the canal today. He did so a week and a half ago when we saw many others on the canal near chain bridge road skating. It was well below freezing this past weekend but we had a few warmer days last week and I’m not so sure about today.

I figure those that may have grown up or know a lot about the nature of ice may have some better insight. Thanks-

Go someplace else on the canal, north of great falls. The section at chain bridge is below the sewer break. You don’t wanna go there right now. There’s other sections up near Swains Lock that have ice on them. Go there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I drove across chain bridge today which has appeared to be frozen for over a week. I was stunned to see water movement today given the weekend temps. I would be careful.

The river??? That’s Little Falls Rapids. Those pretty much NEVER freeze, because it’s a series of rapids. OP is asking about the canal, not the river.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I drove across chain bridge today which has appeared to be frozen for over a week. I was stunned to see water movement today given the weekend temps. I would be careful.

The river??? That’s Little Falls Rapids. Those pretty much NEVER freeze, because it’s a series of rapids. OP is asking about the canal, not the river.

It’s a data point. Sun UV is strong today.

[Anonymous]

The ice needs to be at least 4” thick to support a person. Six inches is better. If you do not have the equipment or patience to check the ice thickness, best to stay off it.

[Anonymous]

It is safe. We went yesterday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is safe. We went yesterday.

does everyone just have ice skates laying around?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is safe. We went yesterday.

OP here - may I ask where exactly along the canal you went? We are eyeing the strip between where the old bridge is between Arizona and Chain Bridge.