http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?05429000
I’m not sure if this is taken at the actual race location or elsewhere in the lake (depth etc).
It looks a bit warm. Any locals with an idea if this is accurate?
If the water temp stays as reported, it should be a non-wetsuit swim. Has that occurred in previous years?
Thanks,
Not in the past 4 years, at least. I think this scare happens annually then by race day it cools down. No wetsuit would be a blast to watch. How many would drop out? Don’t worry everybody (except one guy) will be ensconced in neoprene.
Have fun. The one loop course is nice, enjoy the view of the capital on the back stretch.
Good luck.
Last year I was really curious about the water temp in Lake Monona too, and then I read the about the snake problem.
The water will be fine. You have nothing to worry about!
Last year I was really curious about the water temp in Lake Monona too, and then I read the about the snake problem.
The water will be fine. You have nothing to worry about!
I’m tired of these MFn’ snakes in this MFn’ lake!!!
Last year it was wetsuit legal and we had a smoking hot summer. With the temps this year, I can’t imagine it won’t be wetsuit legal.
IMWisc has been wetsuit legal every year of its existence, and it will be again this year. This thread seems to pop up about this time every year. The lake snake thread will be next.
Meh I’ve been swimming wetsuited in Lake Monona on Tuesdays @ 6am for the past ~6 weeks. It has been fine. Also, I haven’t seen any MF’n snakes either. It’s a bit weedy, though.
Thanks for the comments. I might pack a swim skin just in case.
And don’t worry about the MF’n snakes - The crocodiles ate all them.
I’d be more concerned that the weather could either be blazing sun and 95 degrees or wet, windy and 45 degrees.
I just swam it last weekend for the MOWS race, and they had the temp as 74. I suspect we’ll be better off with a couple more weeks of cool nighttime temps in Madison.
Sounds like you raced in 2005 and 2006 
.
I’ve heard the lake has muskies as well. These guys have teeth like sharks.
I just swam it last weekend for the MOWS race, and they had the temp as 74. I suspect we’ll be better off with a couple more weeks of cool nighttime temps in Madison.
+1 and surprisingly few weeds.
Disclaimer: I’d prefer wetsuits not be legal for the race.
Meh I’ve been swimming wetsuited in Lake Monona on Tuesdays @ 6am for the past ~6 weeks. It has been fine. Also, I haven’t seen any MF’n snakes either. It’s a bit weedy, though.
speak for yourself. saw this guy a few days ago:
Maybe your beard is an attractant?
Maybe your beard is an attractant?
possibly. it sure is with the ladies.
I would imagine an amazing facial mane like that attracts all things of beauty.
I’m a little jealous. Being a ginger, the last thing people want to see is more of my hair - facial or otherwise.
A snake like that had it’s head hanging over the edge of the outdoor lap pool at a neighbors house a few doors down I was training in last week since the YMCA was closed. Not what you want to see when your swimming alone. Fortuntely I was cooling down and almost done. Not sure about the WI variety, but mine was just a rat snake. Harmless, and actually useful since they eat moles and mice. Hey, with 2000 other swimmers in the water your odds are pretty good not getting bitten.
Unless there are 2000 snakes in the lake as well…