Cold Water Risks for Boaters: What You Need to Know

Cold water already has caused potentially life-threatening incidents.

Source: Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department— Parks Divsion
Images: Courtesy

SANTA FE –New Mexico State Parks officials urge boaters to check water temperatures before hitting the lakes this spring, after several near-miss incidents in recent weeks involving boaters who underestimated how cold the water remains.  

“People are eager to get back on the water, but the conditions haven’t caught up to the season yet,” said Scott Chalmers, New Mexico boating safety coordinator. 

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Boating on cold water requires planning for the possibility of sudden immersion. Survival depends on the ability to stay afloat and stay warm. Even experienced swimmers can become incapacitated quickly. Cold water immersion can: 

• Trigger involuntary gasping, rapid breathing, and panic — increasing the risk of drowning if water is inhaled. 
• Reduce strength in the arms, legs, hands and feet — making it nearly impossible to stay afloat without a life jacket. 
• Lead to hypothermia, dramatically increasing the risk of drowning or death without rescue. 

State Parks recommends the following safety steps for early-season boating: 

• Always wear a properly fitted life jacket. It significantly increases the chances of survival. 
• Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature, using a wetsuit, dry suit, or float coat. 
• Check weather conditions before heading out. 
• Share a float plan with someone on shore, including boating details, vehicle description, and emergency contacts. 

Many state parks offer free life jackets through the statewide life jacket loaner program, a partnership with the Boat U.S. Foundation, the Sea Tow Foundation, and federal and local agencies. Boaters can borrow properly fitted infant, child, youth, or adult life jackets for the day or weekend at no cost and return them to the same station afterward. 

Rendering of what the life jacket kiosks will look like. The first installation is slated for Navajo Lake State Park later this year.

State Parks is also installing new life jacket loaner kiosks this summer, beginning with Navajo Lake State Park. Similar to a “Little Free Library,” each kiosk will provide free use of life jackets for visitors of all ages. Two kiosks are planned for Navajo Lake, with the goal of installing kiosks at every lake state park statewide. 

Boaters can find more safety resources, cold water information and preparation checklists at emnrd.nm.gov/spd/activities/boating.