Winter Ice Depth Updates

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025

Channing Pond now has a measured ice depth of 5 inches and is available for resident pond skating! (however like anything in nature, depths and surface conditions may vary) 

Parks staff will continue to monitor ice depths daily, with all updates being posted here. These department pond status decisions are final. 

  • Pond skating is never 100% safe, and all outdoor ice skating at Channing Pond is AT YOUR OWN RISK. 
  • Every person under the age of 18, MUST be accompanied by a supervising adult whenever using Channing Pond.

Department pond status decisions are final and will stand until further notice  -  ALWAYS RESPECT ALL SIGNS POSTED AT CHANNING POND & DO NOT VANDALIZE TOWN OF DOVER LOCKS & PROPERTY!

State guidelines suggest 4-5 inches of clear, blue ice depth for outdoor ice skating: mass.gov/service-details/ice-strength-and-safety


Outdoor ice skating at Channing Pond will be permitted during daylight hours and when pond lights are on.

  • Pond lights at Channing Pond are on a timer that will turn on at dusk, when there is adequate ice depth and Parks & Recreation has opened the pond. 
  • Lights will remain on from dusk until 8:00pm on weeknights, and 9:00pm on weekends and school breaks.

All outdoor ice skating at Channing Pond is AT YOUR OWN RISK and minors must be accompanied by an adult whenever at Channing Pond.

During the winter months Channing Pond is available for Outdoor Ice Skating once Parks & Recreation has ensured adequate ice depths. In the state of Massachusetts, 4-5 inches of clear, blue pond ice is needed in order to allow outdoor public ice skating. Ice depths are measured manually, with Parks Staff checking various locations around the pond for the minimum ice depths before declaring it open, and this process is continued throughout the winter months.

Parks Staff does all that they can to keep ice surfaces clear for resident use, but in the event of winter storms and clean-ups, snow removal on roadways will take precedence, and Channing Pond will declared closed and may not be used until conditions improve and the department re-opens the pond to the public.

Department ice depth measurement decisions are final and updates will be sent out, only when necessary, on weekdays between 12:00 - 1:00pm.  

For detailed winter ice depth updates straight to your phone - including surface status, hours of permitted use, pond lights schedule, and pond information - visit the Town of Dover: Notify Me Center, enter your email and/or cell phone, and scroll to the 'News Flash' section, selecting 'Parks & Recreation' for all Channing Pond updates.