The Seneca Falls Police Department is urging residents to stay off the canal after dangerously thin ice was spotted along the waterway.
In a statement released Friday, Police Chief Timothy Snyder warned that the ice isn’t safe for any activity — including walking, skating, or fishing — and poses a serious risk of falling through.
“This ice is extremely dangerous and too thin to support the weight of any person,” Snyder said.
Police are asking parents to talk with their children about the danger and to make sure they stay away from the canal. Pet owners are also being urged to keep animals off the ice.
“If anyone is observed on the ice or appears to be in distress, call 911 immediately,” the department said.
The warning comes as temperatures drop and the canal begins to freeze, creating an illusion of safety that police say could quickly turn deadly.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].