Ellsworth Police Issue Ice Warning

Ellsworth Police have issued ice warnings for the Union River/Leonard Lake and Green Lake, in anticipation of mild weekend weather sending people outside.

In a Facebook post, Ellsworth Police are warning residents of ice conditions on several bodies of water;

Union River/Leonard Lake - Police say Leonard Lake is part of the Union River, which has a swift running, strong current. Because of that current, it doesn't freeze in the same way as a typical lake. Reports of people going out on the ice have prompted them to issue the warning that it's extremely dangerous. Rivers are generally not safe to recreate on, so they're asking that residents warn their children to stay off the ice.

Green Lake - Residents of the lake have informed the Police Department that there's a pressure ridge with significant open water from Sandy Point Way, on the Eastern Shore, to the Western shore. It was passable just a few days ago, but is now very dangerous.

The Maine Warden Service has also issued warnings that ice conditions vary, at this time, so folks should be extremely cautious venturing out. Just because the edge of a body of water is frozen, that doesn't mean the center is also frozen. Talk to folks in the local community about the ice conditions, and check the thickness of the ice frequently as you cross it.