Ice chunks float down the Allegheny River in Foxburg in 2024. Emlenton borough, also located along the Allegheny River, has had people walk onto the ice after a recent freeze. Butler Eagle File Photo

Kyle Prudhomme

Emlenton Borough’s police and fire departments issued warnings to stay off the Allegheny River’s ice after two separate incidents of people walking on it.

Officials stress that river ice is never safe to walk on.

The fire department made a Facebook post Sunday afternoon, Feb. 8, after the departments once again received reports of people on the ice.

“Luckily, Emlenton Borough Police Department officers were on duty and responded quickly to speak with the individuals,” the department said in the post.

The post said there is still flowing water under the ice, which causes it to be weaker than ice on lakes or ponds.

Fire Chief Trevor Hile said Tuesday that the department has received two reports in the last week of someone walking on the ice. While the department is used to calls for animals wandering out there, he said he was unsure as to why people are now doing it as well.

“The ice can be misleading, it can look strong. Underneath, it’s weaker than it seems, it's not safe for people to walk on,” he said.

His advice was simple: Stay away from the Allegheny River.

“If someone falls through a weak spot in the ice, that creates an impossible situation. If you get swept under the ice, there’s virtually no chance of rescue,” he said.