Surfski Knowledge Base

Dale McKinnon
06/20/08 #4548

Folks - I need information from anyone that is planning to paddle or row in Lake Whatcom this weekend. One of the requirements for swimming the English Channel is to do a six-hour non-stop swim in water not over 65 degrees F, prior to arriving in Dover for the actual swim across the English Channel. (Unfortunately there are bureacracies surrounding the Channel swim, but that's another story…) The Bay is just too cold, still.

What I need to know is the temperature in Lake Whatcom, and not just on the surface. Do any of you know what online resources exist for finding out what the current temperatures are at the lake's surface, one, two and three-foot deep levels. The temps must be verifiable by an engineer, or water agency… or, city, county, state or federal resource of some kind. I have already been certified as a pilot and can verify his swim ( with my trusty GPS).

We are shooting for this Tuesday for the 6-hr qualifying swim… and if the lake is not colder than 58 degrees F at the two-foot depth, then he will make it.

If anyone can verify the temps out in the middle of the lake, it would be a critical piece of information. Because right now, we are thinking of heading to Lake Osoyoos for the Tuesday swim. But if we can stay close to home, that would be much, much better all the way around.

Any verifiable info, leads, contact numbers, or any of you paddling engineers with thermometers… it's worth at least a case of good beer. Many thanks!

Dale

Re: channel swimmer needs help
flypaddle
06/21/08 #4549

Dale,

Being an engineer, and scuba diver with underwater thermometer equip. I'll be happy to help out. Just give me a call on my cell 961-1627 to arrange points where you want temperatures taken.

Joost

Re: channel swimmer needs help
Dale McKinnon
06/21/08 #4551

Wow, Joost… thank you so much!! I will call today after the WOW paddle (and row… two of us rowers are going with the paddlers). That should be around 2 p.m.

Just off the top of my head, I can think of four points for temperature data: see attached jpg. However, if Mike (the swimmer) decides to do an “out and back” from Bloedel Donovan (about seven miles out) rahter than from north to the south end, then there needs to be four data points within the seven miles. The jpg can give you an idea of how/where data points need to be taken.

Surface temps cannot be over 65 degrees F, and hopefully the temp at 2 1/2 feet won't be under 58 degrees. I'll talk to you this afternoon. So if you could do both surface and 2.5 feet down that would be wonderful…
Thanks!

Dale

Re: channel swimmer needs help
Jeff Hegedus <jhegedus@…>
06/21/08 #4552

WWU and Ecology monitor lake temperature and would be good independent verification. I work with the people who do this, and can check into it on Monday.

Re: channel swimmer needs help
Dale McKinnon
06/21/08 #4553

Jeff, thanks. If I can get verification of water temp on Monday, that would be perfect because Mike (the swimmer) is going to attempt his 6-hr swim on Tuesday… and if the lake is, in fact, the hearsay temp then he will swim in the Lake on Tuesday.