Over the weekend, a man fell through the ice at the west end of Tiber, near where the Marias River flows into the reservoir—an area especially prone to changing and unpredictable ice conditions. With the lake refilling after years of lower water levels and an unusually wet winter in the mountains, the ice simply isn’t behaving the way many of us are used to. Thankfully, according to the social media post, he is okay and survived thanks to a flotation suit and ice picks, which made all the difference.
It’s a strong reminder that even when the ice looks good, conditions can change fast—especially near inflows and moving water. If you’re heading out, be prepared: wear flotation, carry ice picks, check thickness often, and never go alone. This winter is far from typical, and a little extra caution could save a life.
