MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — Mount Olive police are urging residents and visitors to use extreme caution around Budd Lake this winter, warning that ice conditions on the lake are unpredictable and currently unsafe.
Police said fluctuating temperatures throughout the winter season can cause ice conditions to change rapidly, sometimes within the same day. Because of those variations, the department said it cannot guarantee the safety of the ice at any time.
Budd Lake is a natural lake and serves as the headwaters of the South Branch of the Raritan River. Police said extended periods of consistently below-freezing temperatures are required for the lake to freeze safely, conditions that have not been met under current weather patterns.
The Mount Olive Police Department said it does not endorse winter activities on the lake and advised anyone considering going onto the ice to exercise extreme caution and continuously test ice thickness.
Police warned that falling through ice in cold temperatures can quickly lead to hypothermia, which can cause a rapid loss of strength, coordination and the ability to self-rescue. Officials strongly recommended wearing flotation equipment such as life jackets, float coats or flotation suits when engaging in winter activities near or on ice.
Police also advised residents who are unfamiliar with proper ice-testing methods to avoid frozen bodies of water until they have learned how to assess ice conditions safely.
