ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO/WCCO) – As temperatures soar into the upper 80s and lower 90s, Minnesotans headed to the lake may not think twice about taking a dip in the water to cool off. While it may seem like a good idea, the Minnesota DNR is asking people to consider potential risks of swimming in water that might not be warm enough to swim in quite yet.
“If you are boating or headed to a beach and want to jump into the water to cool off, it’s important to remember that water temperatures still remain cooler,” Lisa Dugan, the Recreation Safety Outreach Coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, said. “Water temperatures are still remaining cool. In the metro-area, those temps are in the low to mid 60s.”
The Minnesota DNR said the ideal water temp to swim safely should be at least 70 degrees.
There are ways to protect yourself if you decide to jump into cooler water.
As always, a life jacket is always recommended when swimming in lakes, but wearing one could help when it comes to cold water.
“That can be the piece of equipment that helps should anything go wrong if that water is so cold that your body goes through the automatic gasp reflex,” Dugan said.
According to the DNR, Over 30 percent of boating fatalities in Minnesota happen in cold water with a victim not wearing a life jacket.
“Each person, depending on body type, is a little bit different in how hypothermia can affect them,” Dugan said. “If you’re in the water for a long amount of time and the water temps are still cold, you may lose the dexterity in your fingers and won’t be able to pull yourself into the boat as well. They’re important things to keep in mind since we’re still so early in the boating season.”
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