SOUTHWICK – Lake Management Committee Chairman Dick Grannells, who resides on Congamond Lake said he is concerned about the areas of open water surrounded by ice he is seeing on the lake.
Open water is shown on the Middle Pond section of Congamond Lake on Wednesday afternoon. (Photo courtesy of Greg Fitzpatrick)
One of the most exposed areas is on Middle Pond right near the sand bar off of Brayton Drive, he noted and is warning residents and recreational enthusiasts about the dangers of ice and open water there.
“It’s not forgiving,” said Grannells of the area. “Just stay off.”
The town official explained that the body of water that stretches through to Suffield, Conn. is a spring-fed lake. This means that the lake not only receives temperatures of 55 degrees in the summer, but is also at 55 degrees in the winter, since the warm water comes up from the ground.
While Grannells says that he’ll never tell anyone that the lake is safe, if people do choose to go out on the lake with open water near the ice, he just wants everyone to be “extra cautious”.
Every year during the winter season, many residents and visitors can be seen on the ice on Congamond , ice fishing, skating, and enjoying other winter activities.
