Henderson Lake is one of two lakes currently approved by the city for public use (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

City approves two lakes for public outdoor skating

Jan 22, 2020 | 10:21 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Two Lethbridge lakes have been deemed safe to skate on this week.

On Monday, the City of Lethbridge stated that lake ice at Chinook Lake and Henderson Lake was thick enough to meet their standards for outdoor skating in designated areas.

Unfortunately, the conditions at Nicholas Sheran Lake and Legacy Lake are not appropriate for public use and outdoor skating is not permitted on those bodies of water at this time.

Specific areas have been cleared for skating at both Henderson and Chinook lakes. Residents are being asked to never skate alone as the thickness of the ice can vary from place to place.

Citizens are also reminded to not skate in the dark.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

The city noted that warmer temperatures this week could affect ice conditions. Residents can call the Lake Ice Line at 403-320-4974 for further updates or visit the city’s website.

Each winter, City of Lethbridge Parks staff assess ice conditions once a week in designated outdoor skating areas to see if they meet city standards for public use.

The minimum average ice thickness has to be at least 12 inches for ice to be safely cleared by equipment. The city lists the following as criteria when assessing the ice for public use:

· The presence of standing water or open water

· The amount of freezing that has occurred

· Snow cover

· Present thickness of the ice

· Present condition of the ice

· Present clarity of the ice

· Air temperature

Ice on storm ponds is not monitored by staff because moving water and fluctuating weather conditions lead to unknown, unpredictable and dangerous ice conditions.

Residents are asked to stay off stormwater ponds.

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.