Officials Urge Caution After ATVs Break Through Ice

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials are urging anglers to take caution after two all-terrain vehicles broke through the ice and became submerged at Cottonwood-Steverson Lake on Feb. 4.

Conservation officer Heath Packett of Gordon said two ATVs carrying three riders broke through the ice on the northeast corner of Cottonwood Lake in Cherry County. He said each of the riders safely escaped from the frigid water, which is about 8 feet deep at the location of the accident.

The accident has prompted officials to prohibit the use of ATVs on Cottonwood-Steverson, a 680-acre body of water 30 miles north of Hyannis in the Sandhills. The use of ATVs on nearby Home Valley Lake also has been prohibited.

“With this week’s warm temperatures, the ice conditions are deteriorating and they’re not likely to get better before spring,” Packett said. “Ice anglers and others should be especially cautious.”