Conservation officer: 'Use good common sense' when swimming at the Lakes

WAHPETON, Iowa -- Each year, around 60 people from all over the United States gather at Gull Point State Park in Wahpeton for the University of Okoboji Point to Point Swim.

Participants swim 3.2 miles in open water across West Lake Okoboji from Gull Point State Park to Pikes Point State Park. This year's swim at 7 a.m. on Aug. 3 marked the event's 28th year. 

"It would be beneficial to have a strong swimming background or to have trained for this event. This is not an event for novice swimmers," said Kyle Struve, communications director for YMCA of the Okobojis. 

All swimmers are required to have a spotter in a kayak accompany them for the duration of the swim for safety reasons, according to Struve, who said conditions are usually unpredictable.  

"We've had to postpone the event for weather and, of course, we're always at the mercy of Mother Nature," he said. "It could be a calm day but more times than not, there will be some waves that swimmers will have to navigate."

Daniel Dirks, an Iowa Department of Natural Resources conservation officer in Dickinson County, said there are no state regulations concerning swimming that people have to abide by in the Iowa Great Lakes area. However, he urges swimmers to use "good common sense" and not exceed their abilities.

"If you're not a strong swimmer, you're probably not going to be entering in the Point to Point swim," he said. "When in doubt, wear a life jacket. Another good rule of thumb is always telling somebody what your plan is and time frame when you're going to be swimming and participating in that activity."

Dirks said swimmers should avoid areas with heavy boat traffic, such as Smiths Bay. He said the busiest times are typically on weekends.

"When there's a lot of boat traffic, it's probably not the wisest idea to be swimming out in the middle of the lake," he said. "Believe it or not, people do swim at night. There's nothing that prohibits that, but, again, probably not the best of ideas, just for the sake of being visible while you're out there."

Dirks said swimmers don't have to worry about strong currents while swimming in open water at the popular tourist destination. However, he said they might encounter more debris due to slow boat speeds. 

In late June, Dickinson County Emergency Management Commission voted to impose a 5 mph-limit on boat traffic on all county lakes for the first time in six years due to heavy rains and rising water levels. That month, some areas received in excess of eight inches of precipitation.

The last time the county enacted a "no wake" rule was 2018, when West Lake Okoboji peaked at 6.65 feet.

"With the higher lake levels right now and with the 5 mph rule being in effect, there certainly is more debris. It's not a moving hazard. It's not being dragged by current," he said. 

Dirks said the Lakes region has roughly a dozen public beaches, which the Iowa DNR monitors. He encourages visitors to log on to the DNR's website to learn more about water quality and find out whether its a good idea to go swimming at a particular beach. 

"I can't stress enough just use good common sense," he said. "When in doubt, always wear a life jacket, if you're not real comfortable with your swimming abilities. Always let people know where you're at." 

The Iowa DNR recommends the following swimming safety tips:

• Don't dive in; ease into the water slowly.
• Swim with a buddy.
• If you haven't swum in a long-time, refresh your abilities. All children should learn to swim with formal lessons.
• Always wear a life jacket. Make sure kids wear their life jackets before getting in the water.
• Keep a close eye on others, especially children. Assign a designated adult to watch over children, and never assume someone else is watching them. Be close enough to touch the child at all times. Even in ankle deep water, the current can be strong enough to sweep you off your feet and out into deeper water.
• Know the early symptoms of hypothermia, including shivering, blue lips, slurred speech or mumbling, drowsiness or very low energy or confusion.
• Learn how to perform CPR. If you are already certified, learn the latest techniques and refresh your skills by recertifying. Check with your local hospital, workplace or doctor’s office for training opportunities.
• Take a water bottle with you and keep it nearby throughout the day. It's easy to get dehydrated in the sun, particularly if you're active and sweating. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Early signs of dehydration can include dizziness, feeling lightheaded or nausea.