Riga Ice Crossing: Safe Zones & Rules | Daugava River

Riga municipal police have determined that the ice on the Daugava River is currently safe for pedestrians, despite warning tapes still being visible near the water on Monday.

Cautious Optimism as Riga Residents Venture onto Frozen Daugava

Despite official cautions, locals have been enjoying the unusually mild winter by skating and walking on the Daugava River.

• Following inspections, Riga police say the ice on the Daugava is presently safe.
• Residents have been observed on the ice, prompting police to engage in preventative discussions.
• Experts caution that no natural body of water has truly “safe” ice conditions.
• A list of approved ice locations in riga is publicly available.

The surprising announcement comes after videos and photos circulated on social networks during the holidays, showing people walking and moving on the ice in the Daugava River in central Riga. The Water Safety Department of the municipal police was reportedly informed of these instances.

is the ice on the Daugava River safe to walk on? According to the Riga municipal police, inspections conducted on Monday confirmed the ice is currently safe, tho warning tapes remain in place as a precaution.

Did you know? – The Daugava River, at 1,020 kilometers (634 miles) long, is Latvia’s longest river and a vital waterway for the contry.

Personal Responsibility Remains Paramount

While the police haven’t issued any penalties to those enjoying the ice, police representative Ieva Lukaža-Apalupa stated that preventative discussions have been held with residents.Everyone venturing onto the ice is ultimately responsible for their own safety.

Though, Līga Klints, a hydrologist at the Center of Environment, Geology and Meteorology of Latvia (LVĜMC), offers a stark reminder: absolutely safe ice does not exist on natural bodies of water. This underscores the need for extreme caution, even with the police’s assessment.

Those seeking designated safe areas can find a list of approved locations for ice activities here.

Pro tip – Before stepping onto any frozen body of water, check the ice thickness and be aware of potential hazards like currents, springs, and varying snow cover.

Why is this happening? Unusually mild winter weather has allowed the Daugava River to freeze enough for people to venture onto the ice, a rare occurrence in recent years. Who is involved? The Riga Municipal Police, residents of Riga, and hydrologists from the Center of Environment, Geology and meteorology of Latvia (LVĜMC) are all involved. What is the situation? The ice on the Daugava River is currently deemed safe by police, but experts warn that no natural ice is completely safe. How did it unfold? Videos of people on the ice prompted police inspections, leading to the current assessment. The situation remains fluid, with personal responsibility emphasized.