Seeley's Lions Club park impacted by warm temperatures and critters
Although much of the ice has been affected by muskrats, there is a section by the shore that has been cleared.
The pond at Seeley Lake's Lions Club Park has been impacted by large muskrats and unseasonably warm temperatures.
On Jan. 2, the Seeley Lake Lions Club shared a Facebook post informing people about the issue and potential safety concerns of being on the ice this winter. The post stated muskrats have been digging holes in the ice and keeping it from refreezing.
The post mentioned a hole 18 inches wide that is marked off with caution tape. There is a very thin layer of ice over the hole and the Lions Club is encouraging people to avoid the area around it. This spot can also be identified by the snow that hasn't been cleared on that part of the ice.
Rich Westin, Lions Club Park committee chairman, said they have been anticipating this issue since August.
"We were worried it was going to be an issue around August when we saw the size of these muskrats. They've been there for years and they're really big," Westin said.
As the muskrats have gotten bigger, they require more space, which makes them disruptive to the ice.
The warmer temperatures this winter have also caused issues. Once muskrats have broken through the ice, it takes longer to refreeze. Although this issue wasn't a surprise Westin, "didn't know it would be this bad or so warm."
Fish, Wildlife and Parks about trapping the muskrats. A permit has been approved and there are plans for a trapper to visit the park in the next few weeks.
If the muskrats are successfully cleared, Westin hopes the pond will be able to refreeze. However, whether the pond is accessible for skating this year will depend on a variety of factors, including temperature and muskrat presence.
There is one part of the ice that has been cleared of snow and is skatable. The ice on the east side of the pond is about six inches thick. According to a Facebook post from Jan. 10, the Lions Club is keeping that part of the ice "clear and flooding with water," in order to allow some use of the ice.
Because of the ice conditions this year, the Lions Club is focusing on hockey. More information about that will be shared through the Seeley Lake Lions Club Facebook page.
Westin encouraged people to use good judgement and make responsible decisions about whether they feel comfortable on the ice.
"We never declare the ice. There is no such thing as safe ice. Skate at your own risk and use good judgement," Westin said.
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