Those seeking to ice skate this year will have to wait a little longer.
Perhaps until next year.
The ice is not thick enough for skating in a lot of places including Sweet Arrow Lake County Park in Pine Grove, Stoyer’s Dam in Schuylkill Haven and Tuscarora and Locust Lake state parks.
Bob Evanchalk, Schuylkill County parks and recreation supervisor, said that while there is some ice on Sweet Arrow Lake, it is not safe enough for skating.
“Wait till it’s safe,” he said Thursday.
Ice thickness is not measured on the lake. He said someone who wanted to go ice fishing last week was out to measure the ice. It was only 1 1/4 inch thick, causing the man to change his mind about going fishing on the ice, Evanchalk said. However, the colder weather may create thick enough ice by February.
Evanchalk said the Fire & Ice Winter Fest is still scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Sweet Arrow Lake Clubhouse. The event, which is usually well attended, features a chili cookoff and other activities.
As of Jan. 8, the latest data available, there was no ice at Tuscarora or Locust Lake state parks, according to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website, www.dcnr.state.pa.us.
Schuylkill Haven Mayor Mike Devlin said Thursday he is optimistic of a skating party in the borough.
“It’s covered with ice right now,” he said Thursday of Stoyer’s Dam.
However, he said there is not enough ice to safely skate yet. The ice must be 6 inches thick, which borough workers determine by drilling a hole and measuring it. Devlin said, “As long as the ice cooperates,” there will be a skating party.
Brian Murray, Schuylkill Haven’s highway foreman, said Friday that the ice was not thick enough to measure. Signs are still up near the dam prohibiting skating due to safety concerns.
Scott Graver, Schuylkill Haven borough manager, did not seem optimistic Friday about the likelihood of a skating party this year.
“Unless we have a sustained arctic weather front, I don’t see it happening,” he said in an email.