This website is best viewed in a browser that supports web standards.

Skip to content or, if you would rather, Skip to navigation.

Listen Live
Donate
MARYVILLE

KXCV-KRNW


News Brief

Nov. 20, 2024Des Moines, Iowa |  By: Jeremy Werner

Iowa DNR offers tip for winter paddlers

paddling

DES MOINES, Iowa - Winter paddling offers serenity, exercise, and stunning views, but it comes with risks.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is urging paddlers to prioritize safety as water temperatures remain dangerously cold.

DNR officials stress that cold-water shock and hypothermia can set in quickly. They advise dressing for the water temperature, not the air, and wearing a wet or dry suit and a life jacket.

Key safety tips include paddling with a buddy, checking weather and water conditions, avoiding wood debris and ice jams, and carrying essentials like extra clothes, a first-aid kit, and a protected cell phone.

Let someone know your route and return time. For planning, the D-N-R recommends checking their interactive paddling map at iowadnr.gov to avoid bridge construction areas.