Despite frigid temperatures, Dale Hollow Lake has not seen a drop in boaters enjoying the water during the winter season.
Some people may think it is typically too cold in the Upper Cumberland during the winter to go boating. Park Ranger Desmaray Brown said boat ramps have been quite busy this winter.
“On any given day, even the coldest days, while I am out on patrol, I’ll find that many of our boat ramp lots will have several empty trailers,” Brown said. “So this means boats on the water. And just last month, in the month of November, one of our boat ramps saw over 600 visitors.”
Brown said most lake visitors choose to boat during the colder months to fish, catching small-mouth bass and crappie. Brown cautions others to be aware of the climate, as conditions can change, resulting in poor boating conditions.
“In the wintertime, navigating the lake is much different than in the summertime due to the flood storage draw-down,” Brown said. “So the lake levels are lower, there might be more hazards you didn’t know about, so you definitely want to be aware of those and keep a good watch out.”
Brown said rangers encourage visitors daring to brave the cold to keep an eye on the weather conditions and dress for them. Brown said layering in a hat and gloves is recommended when venturing onto the water.
Brown said knowing boating rules and dressing for the weather are the key components in keeping safe on the water. Brown said wearing a life jacket and avoiding alcohol could help protect against hypothermia.
“We definitely want people to stay warm and safe while on the waters, so you want to dress for immersion,” Brown said. “Nobody ever plans to fall in, so you want to make sure you wear plenty of layers. It’s good if they’re moisture-wicking, insulating, water-proof.”
