Is 59 degrees Fahrenheit too cold ofr a lake?

Question

I am going to Keechelus Lake and the highest temperature there is 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Do you think this is too hot or too cold? We're planning to just BBQ and swim, would this be an okay temperature to do it? We'll get there around 12-1 PM and stay around till 6 or 7. Thanks!

Answer 1

59 degrees is frigid for a water temperature, people have died from hypothermia in such temperatures. It is extremely cold and uncomfortable. Anything under 70 degrees feels cold to the human body. Remember, our body temperature is 98 or 99 degrees. Sure, you can go swimming in it, but you will not feel comfortable at all and you will not enjoy it.

As a general rule of thumb, water does not feel comfortable to most people until it approaches at least around 80 degrees. Me personally, I enjoy a range from 85 to 87 degree water. Anything over 88 degree water is unconfotrable warm and hard to cool off in in this Texas heat and feels like bathwater.

Answer 2

59! Wow that really cold for swimming. A good temperature for swimming is 75º - 85º . I wouldn't swim in anything below 70º.