Iowa’s been on a weather rollercoaster lately, with wind chills of 40-below zero last week, followed by highs in the 60s this week. Despite the current warming trend, the experts say most Iowans should keep their kayaks and canoes in the shed for now. Todd Robertson, the river programs outreach coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says paddlers ought to wait for steady warmth to allow water temperatures to rise, and that could be mid-May — 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 a month or two before it’s safe for lesser experienced paddlers to load up their boats.
Cold water shock and hypothermia can set in quickly, Robertson says, 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.
