I was out on my deck shoveling the 6 inches of snow we had through out the day when i saw 5 blokarts on the ice in the pond behind my house. I didn't think that was even possible cause thats our town water supply. (I Dunno I just thought ya coudn't for some reason) Now I am really tempted to get some skates and get the kite out there. since it's right behind my house. Problem though is I don't have the slightest clue what i need in order to find out if the ice is safe and also where or who would i ask if it's even legal to get on the pond? I never see anyone skating on it or even think i have ever seen a boat out there LOL in the summer. :puzzled: Pond is pretty big, there's a couple towns that surround it. any ideas? I already looked up Blokarts and stuff and anything happening in the area. didn't find anything. i guess i could look up some forums. :ticking:

It is better to ask forgiveness than ask permission in this game sometimes.

I would suggest that as long as it's frozen and you don't pee out there you won't be harming the water supply ?

Good question about judging the ice ! I'm interested in an answer !

I've heard that four inches is good, but the problem is that if there is some kind of inflow / outflow of water in the pond, there may be a section which is thinner. two inches is fine for walking, but the ice can be a little noisy, very nervous-making, and there's no margin. four inches is solid. But DG lives near the pond, and if he remembers where it freezes last / thaws first, that's the place to check.

use an axe, chop down four inches, if you have more ice under that, there's your peace of mind well sorted. A foot is good for vehicles.

but if any of the NE USA snowkite folks drop by this thread, they'll be the ones with the authoritative answer!

agree with BR that you should have a clean conscience about being on the drinking water ice...

dgkid78 i use a ice screw to check but you have to walk out there anyways.then i put up a banner to let me know which way the wind is blowing and how fast,like bladerunner said you got one shot at it before they tell you to leave.what is the name of the pond/lake.

Quote:

Originally posted by doublespeed360 dgkid78 i use a ice screw to check but you have to walk out there anyways.then i put up a banner to let me know which way the wind is blowing and how fast,like bladerunner said you got one shot at it before they tell you to leave.what is the name of the pond/lake.

Watuppa Pond Here's the link DoubleSpeed. Thanks for the Advice BR. I guess your right. If i Ask I might get a no right off the bat

Is that the pond to the right of 195 if you were headed to Providence? I do not know about
going on a water supply- might be a federal matter since it is a public water supply- remember how crazy they are about those damn piper plovers!

this actual pond (South Watuppa Pond) is on your left on 195 In Fall River, towards Providence. The one Stating with a large sign on the Highway (Town Water Supply) is North Watuppa. Same thing though. It's one of many. I guess i can just pick another LOL there's many ponds and swamps. It's just that this one is very vast. I never see anyone on these ponds at all. I wonder why. :yawn: LOL damm Pipers. you cough loud next to a nest and they become barren. They must Breed. hehe :piggy:

South Watuppa Pond is listed in a few ice boating web sites so its probably legal to sail there. Here's one.

http://www.hriyc.org/launch.html#Massachusetts

Just be aware though that if the pond is used for drinking water supplies, than its level is constantly being drained. As a result of that drainage or movement of water you can create air pockets and bubbles under the ice and the regulated flow of water in and out can effect ice uniformity. If you can tell where they drain from, I would avoid hanging out on that section of the ice for sure.