Water Temps

Advice
#1

I am looking for sources of current area water temperatures.



Any advice on certain websites to find that?



Thanks, M

#2

Wunderground’s marine forecast
I use the Marine Forecast feature at Wunderground.com:



http://classic.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/338.html



No idea if they have information for your area.



Mark

#3

NOAA
Has coastal temps.



http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/

#4

More specific
My bad, I should have been more specific.



I’m looking for temps of local lakes in WNY.



I was trying to come up with an easier way than tossing a thermometer tied to a rope into the lake.



I’m anxious to get out on the water but with no wet/dry-suit I wanted to be cautious.

#5

Stick your hand or foot in the water and
keep it there for 5 minutes. If you have excruciating pain when you take it out, the water is too cold.

#6

Precisely…
… or just stand in the water up to your thighs and see how long you can handle it. But if you really want to do it right, get a drysuit. You will only think it was too expensive until you’ve actually used it. Then you will think it was the best thing this side of hot cornbread.

#7

Great lakes
Here are the great lakes so that would cover those and figure any creeks feeding them would be some what close http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/

Right now the water temps are quite cold but on shallow creeks were you can wade to shore not super risky. Keep spare close in dry bag to change into. I paddled Oak Orchard creek today with a group of paddlers.Near Albion and Lockport Rd.



Since your in western NY you can go to Buffalo Outdoot Meetup group to look for going out with a group for paddling as its always safer to paddle with a group. http://www.meetup.com/buffalo-outdoors/



Most likley will paddle next weekend you can always shoot me an email iam in Tonawanda NY.

#8

Near the shore - Out in Middle ?
Shallow water warmed by sun - slightly warm



Middle of the lake - probably damn cold



Stream flowing off of snow capped mountain - really damn cold

#9

Try regional fishing sites
It matters for fishing what the temperature is. On some lakes these smaller web sites for fishermen can be a great resource.

#10

I started paddling ww well before
drysuits, and when wetsuits were rather unwearable if one wished to paddle competently.



I managed my risk when water was cold by choosing river conditions where I was unlikely to swamp and swim, and where, if I did, I could expect to get to shore quickly rather than waiting to be bailed out.



This strategy continues to work well for me. Yes, I wear a drytop when conditions dictate. But honestly, no combination of garments is going to be cool enough for hard paddling, and then warm enough for prolonged immersion. No, not one. So you have to focus on controlling the risk of swimming and the odds of recovering. Wind and air temperature are important, too.

#11

lake and pond waters in MD last week
… (eastern half) avg. 59F.-60F. , Chesapeak Bay temps. avg. 58F. , mountain river temps. avg. 60F.

#12

some of inland NY here …
… MARFC (Mid Atlantic River Forecast Center) ,



http://www.erh.noaa.gov/marfc/Maps/water_temps



the temps I gave in my other reply were actual recordings made on various water sites we were on

#13

temp
I rely on fishermen for most water temp info. Decent fish finders show surface water temp.

#14

start with
a farmer john shorty (I highly recommend the NRS Little John), which for under $100 will protect your core and you can use several months out of the year when the days are pleasant but water temp is on the cool side. Then as you extend your paddling season you can invest in a drysuit, but you will still find the shorty useful.

#15

Agree: manage your risks
There’s no reason to delay kayaking now. Yesterday while kayak camping in Maine I took a bath in the lake. I guess the water was about 50 degrees. I wore pants, a fleece jacket, and mukluks for kayaking early in the morning and shorts, t-shirt, and crocs in the afternoon.



Many will disagree, but for me managing risks is as good a strategy as a wetsuit. Start with smaller bodies of water; stay close to shore; avoid open water crossings or do them in calm conditions—early morning or after 5:00 p.m. This morning I broke camp at 5:00 a.m. to cross the lake before the wind came up.



Yes, there are reasons why this risk-management strategy could fail, but it has worked for me without incident for many years, from March until the lakes freeze.