Water Temperatures Not Warm Enough To Go On Lakes and Rivers

The Iowa DNR says the water temperature is not warm enough to go out on lakes and rivers. Even though the weather has been warmer than normal, paddlers may be anxious to get out on the water, but 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. Robertson says water temperatures in most areas of Iowa are in the low to mid 40s right now. Robertson says he recently spotted some paddlers on a central Iowa river.  Robertson advises against that, saying that cold water shock and hypothermia can set in quickly if you fall into the water at current temperatures.