--- title: Ice Eaters on Big Rideau Lake and Others - Blessing Or Liability description: "The Big Rideau Lake Association put out this article about the safety and liability of ice eaters.     The" image: https://blog.lenscove.com/hs-fs/file-17925936-jpg/images/iceeater1-resized-600.jpg --- [![LensCoveLogo](https://blog.lenscove.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Email-templates/LensCoveLogo.png?width=220&name=LensCoveLogo.png)](http://lenscove.com/) - [Marina](https://www.lenscove.com/marina/) - [Boat Sales](https://www.lenscove.com/inventory/) - [Service](https://www.lenscove.com/service/) - [Boat Rentals](https://www.lenscove.com/boat-rentals/) - [Restaurant](https://www.lenscove.com/the-galley-restaurant/) [Return to Blog Listing](https://blog.lenscove.com/blog/) # Ice Eaters on Big Rideau Lake and Others - Blessing Or Liability Posted By Sean Horsfall On November 22, 2012 The **Big Rideau Lake Association** put out this article written by ***Dou******g Good***. We thought it was important enough to re-post it here.   ![ice eater big rideau lake](https://blog.lenscove.com/hs-fs/file-17925936-jpg/images/iceeater1-resized-600.jpg)   The numbers of ice eaters around the lake are  increasing annually. The big question is whether  they are a blessing to the property owner in protecting their docks or a liability because of the danger they may cause to those moving on the ice surface. I don’t have a legal answer; our learned legal friends can weigh in on this subject with their knowledge and opinions. I started writing this article for last years winter edition of “Driftwords” and didn’t get it finished, but when the subject recently came up at dinner party with heated opinion that Parks Canada should be regulating them, I knew the subject was still timely. Some ice eaters are being ![kasco ice eater](https://blog.lenscove.com/hs-fs/file-17927855-jpg/images/kasco_deciers_2400-resized-600.jpg?width=205&height=205&name=kasco_deciers_2400-resized-600.jpg) turned on even as the ice forms while others are coming on in March as the weather warms and the ice starts to melt. My personal opinion is that ice eaters are not required in January and February as the height of the water is fairly stable and there is minimal fluctuation in the ice. They do become beneficial when the ice starts to melt and move in late March or early April, and will help to protect the docks. As I see it the potential liability comes from opening water in areas which may be used by snowmobilers, ATVers, cross country skiers and  those just out for a pleasant walk. The biggest danger is at night or in winter storms with reduced visibility. The area opened by the ice eater can vary due to depth of water, time turned on, and many more variables. Some individuals when they place an ice eater in the water also put a yellow caution light on the shore as a warning of the potential danger; this would seem like a prudent move. It is my understanding signage is also required indicating open water. I would suggest that if you intend to install an ice eater that you speak to your insurance agent about the liability you may be taking on and whether you are insured if someone did go through and drown. The surface area you are opening is not your property and it may very well be that you are not insured for such a liability. I would suggest anyone considering installing an ice eater also talk to their insurance company and /or lawyer about the potential legal ramifications and what needs to be done to show “prudence”. We all love the lake, and just because you are not there in the winter does not mean others are not. Yes we want to protect our property, but we don’t want to endanger others and create a liability for ourselves. For more information on the Big Rideau Lake Association and all the do for our amazing piece of the world, please click here: [Big Rideau Lake Association home page.](http://www.brla.on.ca/)   Being on the Big Rideau Lake since 1958, Len's Cove Marina is here if you need any assistance or advice that you may need.  ![danger open water sign](https://blog.lenscove.com/hs-fs/file-17932394-jpg/images/open_water_sign-resized-600.jpg)     [Return to Blog Listing](https://blog.lenscove.com/blog/) - [Marina](http://lenscove.com/the-marina/) - [Boat Sales](http://lenscove.com/boat-salesinventory/new-boat-inventory/) - [Service](http://lenscove.com/welcome-to-service/) - [Boat Rentals](http://lenscove.com/boat-rentals/) - [Restaurant](http://lenscove.com/the-galley-restaurant/) [![](https://lenscove.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/MCIDlogo.png)](https://lenscove.com/micd-5-star-certified/) Len’s Cove Marina 1 Water St. P.O. 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