Even though the weather has been warmer than normal and paddlers may be anxious to get out on the water, the DNR is recommending water enthusiasts to be patient.
Todd Robertson, the river programs outreach coordinator for the Iowa DNR, says paddlers ought to wait for steady warmth to allow water temperatures to rise – and it could be April or longer.
That also means never paddling alone. He says water temperatures in most areas of Iowa are in the low to mid 40s right now.
Air temperatures have been all over the map lately, but large bodies of water take time to warm up, so it may be at least a month before it’s safe for less experienced paddlers to load up their boats.
Robertson says he recently spotted some paddlers on a central Iowa river.
Robertson says cold water shock and hypothermia can set in quickly if you fall into the water at current temperatures. Whatever the weather, he recommends paddlers always wear a life jacket, let a friend or loved one know where you’re going and when you’ll be back, and bring a dry bag with extra clothing to change into should you get wet.
story courtesy of Radio Iowa
